"Spending time with family was the top answer to that open-ended question, according to an extensive survey - more than 100 questions asked of 1,280 people ages 13-24 - conducted by The Associated Press and MTV on the nature of happiness among America's young people."
"Next was spending time with friends, followed by time with a significant other. And even better for parents: Nearly three-quarters of young people say their relationship with their parents makes them happy."
"almost no one said "money" when asked what makes them happy, ... having highly educated parents is a stronger predictor of happiness than income."
"Being sexually active actually leads to less happiness among 13-17 year olds..."
"Close to half say religion and spirituality are very important."
"Overwhelmingly, young people think marriage would make them happy..."
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_Youth_Poll_Happiness.html?source=mypi
2007-08-20 04:43:57 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Sociology
When a child grows up in a positive, supportive surrounding with a stable and dependable family, they do so much better.
As a college student, I used to babysit for several groups of kids. The "kids" are now in their 20's, and the ones who had intact families, as in Mom and Dad are happily married and there are lots of relatives in the town, did SO MUCH BETTER than the kids whose parents were divorced or unstable.
Of the kids who were in large, supportive families with lots of ties (Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents around often), ALL of them went to college, ALL of them are in stable relationships themselves (except one who prefers being alone to being married), and ALL of them are good, honest people with stable homes.
Of the kids who were from divorced homes, HALF of them are in stable relationships, about HALF got to go to college, and 3 out of 7 had babies without being married.
Of the kids from very unstable homes, BOTH of the kids are in prison. No marriage, no college, no kids, no life. BOTH dropped out of school, and BOTH did drugs. (All things their parents did.)
My parents divorced when I was 17. All three of us kids dated for at least 5 years before getting married, because my parents got married in the first few months they dated, and were very unsuited. We all went to college,but had to pay our own way, so no one got to go more than a few years. All of us experimented with alcohol and drugs, because our parents "taught" us that as long as no one knew, it was "okay". They also got us into counseling so we didn't repeat their mistakes, and we had over 50 relatives within a square mile we could rely on for help. We turned out pretty good.
A family's support and love is fundamental to a persons happiness. If a child feels safe, appreciated, loved, watched, and secure, they will be SO much better off in life. If a family is split and fighting, the child will be less sure of himself.
Not everyone can stay married, I know, but if you want your child to be happy, have a strong network of family and friends to rely on.
2007-08-20 07:35:57 · answer #1 · answered by 2 Happily Married Americans 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Happiness invariably comes from good relationships. When one does not get it from home/family, one looks for it elsewhere. Human beings crave to be loved and to love. When l trace the source of problems and troubles, they'll probably fall into some kind of relationship related category. I reckon a lot of people are influenced by movies they watch. So often the popular ones do not influence positively and unless the audience is mature, the likelihood of picking up the wrong end of the issues is great.
I wonder how much negative influence or positive ones the recent local sitcom 'kinship' has on a young audience - so much scheming, revenge and greed masking some triumphal love not without so much hurt in so many parties.
2007-08-20 14:22:59 · answer #2 · answered by profam 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Family Ties was a real annoying show. If that is the key to happiness I'm jumping off a bridge.
2016-04-01 08:37:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Children want to feel loved and secure. Its no wonder that, overwhelmingly, a healthy and solid family would make young people feel happy and content with their lives. Hopefully, this will remind parents that their time is worth much more to their children than all the gadgets in the world...
2007-08-20 04:51:55 · answer #4 · answered by Super Ruper 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I believe that when a child grows up with a sense of belonging to a family, including extended family, they have a sense of history and feel valued. I think they are less likely to join gangs because they get this feeling of being wanted from their homelife.
2007-08-20 09:41:27 · answer #5 · answered by Maria b 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree, having family keeps you young. My point of view also comes from not allowing your significant other to keep you away from family.
2007-08-20 07:22:05 · answer #6 · answered by Tamm 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ha.. i just watched this on the news.. i agree that family does make teens happy just because that is their safe place.. but it also depends on the family. some kids hate their parents
2007-08-20 04:53:25 · answer #7 · answered by kate 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I like this poll and wish our political leaders would revamp thier platforms to focus on family, forget about controling other counties.
2007-08-20 06:12:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋