In 2000, amidst the chaos of the Y2K computer glitch, Americans should have been celebrating. The popular song “Smooth” by Santana and Rob Thomas filled the airwaves, reality TV show Survivor captivated audiences, and cultural icons like Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston tied the knot. Yet, despite these seemingly joyful moments, American happiness began to decline that year. The decline, albeit modest, is evident when looking at a chart of American happiness ratings, which shows a steady decrease around the turn of the millennium.
Professor Sam Peltzman, an economics professor at the University of Chicago, recently conducted a study using data from the General Social Survey, a survey that has been tracking American happiness since 1972. Peltzman discovered that the primary reason for this decline in overall happiness is the decrease in the number of marriages. In the 1970s, approximately 35% of people reported being “very happy,” while only 15% were “not too happy.” However, in recent years, these numbers have shifted, with only 32% of people reporting being “very happy” and 18% reporting being “not too happy.”
Peltzman’s findings align with decades of social science research indicating that married individuals are happier than their unmarried counterparts. This trend holds true regardless of income, education level, race, location, age, or gender. Among 100 people, 40 married individuals report feeling happy, while only 10 say they are unhappy. On the other hand, single individuals are evenly split between happiness and unhappiness. Peltzman suggests that the decline in overall happiness can be attributed to the decrease in the number of married adults.
It’s important to note that the reasons behind this correlation between marriage and happiness are still up for debate. Some researchers, like demography professor Brienna Perelli-Harris, argue that happiness precedes marriage, meaning that happy individuals are more likely to get married in the first place. On the other hand, romantics believe that marriage itself has a unique quality that contributes to happiness. Research fellow Lyman Stone found that marriage does boost happiness for at least two years after the wedding, even when controlling for premarital happiness levels.
Regardless of the reasons behind this correlation, it’s evident that marriage plays a significant role in overall happiness. However, the process of getting married can be daunting and expensive, potentially dampening the joy and freedom that society often associates with single life. From the sheer cost of weddings, averaging around $30,000, to the additional stress of prenuptial agreements and coordinating various entities involved in the process, the road to marriage can be a challenging one.
In conclusion, while the decline in American happiness can be largely attributed to the decrease in marriages, the reasons behind this correlation remain subject to further research. The debate between happiness preceding marriage or marriage leading to happiness continues. However, it’s clear that marriage has been consistently linked to greater overall happiness, reinforcing the notion that close, long-term relationships contribute to a sense of fulfillment and well-being.
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