Study Shows Children Make Married Couples Happier
Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 04:41AM A study in the Journal of Happiness Studies shows that married couples are happier with children, and in fact their happiness increases with each additional child they have. Non-married couples, however, report negative experiences having children:
A new study found that having children boosts happiness. And the more, literally, the merrier.
But unmarried couples shouldn’t expect to find greater happiness through child-raising. The study, published in the Oct. 14 online edition of the Journal of Happiness Studies, suggests that having children has little or no effect on boosting happiness among couples who aren’t hitched.
The findings contradict previous research that suggested that having more offspring doesn’t lead to greater happiness and might even make people less satisfied with their lives. One theory behind the conclusion is that parents don’t receive many rewards in return for the hard work of raising children.
The new study, however, notes that parents say children are one of the most important things in their lives, if not the most important.
The study found that life satisfaction for married people — women especially — goes up the more kids they have. Single, separated and co-habiting people, by contrast, report negative experiences.
So what’s wrong with this married father and author of An Accidental Guide to Fatherhood, who compares parenting to food poisoning, having a dog and says people lie when they say parenthood is wonderful? Besides the fact that he’s a creep, he falls under the study type of a “single, separated or co-habitating” person. If I were his wife, I’d be worried.
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.
“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.
“Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” Psalms 127: 3-5
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Reader Comments (11)
If children make marriage happier, then why is the divorce rate so high? I bet that with different economic situations the happiness level would change.
As far as the "Accidental Guide" goes: If he's married, how does he fall into the "single, separated or cohabiting" category? Ever hear of dry humor and sarcasm?
Sounds like a "commitment" thing to me. People who are single, separated or cohabiting have either not yet made the commitment of marriage, or have already broken it. If they're not happy committing to another adult individual (who can usually take care of themselves), why should we expect them to be thrilled about committing to the long-term prospect of children (who definitely cannot care for themselves and require significant attention).
Lack of commitment stems from selfishness. Self-ish-ness puts "me first". My "self" is most important. My happiness is paramount. I don't really care about the happiness of others. I want to receive without giving. Commitments are an intrusion into my time and my happiness. Commitments demand that I give as well as receive.
In the case of "Accidental Guide", the author may be revealing the fact that his child was indeed an "accident" -- not really expected or wanted -- and for which he was not prepared to make a long-term commitment.
Adam, that is the liberal POV: children CAUSE stress - they are an IMPEDIMENT to sex-as-recreation; children cause divorce - they require sacrifice; therefore killing children through abortion is the solution.
Disgusting.
Children actually do the opposite. They hold families together.
Children are a wonderful thing, of course they are not without their issues. My ex and I have dealt with my daughter's issues and she has come to realize that she gave up on the marriage to easily as the only person she can consistently rely on to be there for my daughter is me. The problem is that she should have thought about it before she divorced me. I can see how children keep people together, but weak people who want to chase their sexual fantasies ruin marriages everyday.
Way to go off the deep end like usual Johnny.
I'm a parent and I'm all about kids too, but they are not the key to a happy marriage. The divorce rate is still high. And, as far as staying together "for the kids sake", I think that does more damage than good. But, I also think some gay couples would make better parents than some straight couples I've seen, so you don't care.
Now if only gay couples who have adopted children could get married they'd be even happier according to this story and the family would stay together according to Amy.
Yeah if we keep perpetuating the myth of gay marriage they we wont have to worry about kids cause there wont' be any. I seriously doubt thats going to hurt the homosexuals any because then they won't have the burden of responsibiilty of raising someone to be a productive citizen and not a disicple of perversity.
Foxx: are you seriously worried about everyone turning gay if we recognise couples without discrimination? Do you actually believe that would happen? Would you turn gay?
jez: my point exactly..no matter how many shows are on tv featuring a gay couple or gay lifestyle or if the country recognizes gay marriage straight people will continue to be straight and gay people will be gay. I do not believe you learn or chose to be gay.
Timo, There is no such thing as Gay Marriage, all the married people I know are fairly miserable.