Does having children make people happier?

By Irada Yunusova

Many people equate children with happiness, but recent research indicates that this may not necessarily be true. It is possible that the stress and anxiety that childcare causes may outweigh the joy that children bring. Academic research has shown that parents are either equally or less happy than childless couples.

Research has indicated that the worry, stress, and exhaustion that childbearing brings may make couples unhappy. Children are one of the top reasons for marital dissatisfaction. Couples with children are also more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress than are childless couples. It has also been found that the level of discontent parents feel is higher with greater number of children.

In a society where children appear to be a critical component of a happy life, individuals' expectations about parenthood may be inaccurate. Expecting parents are more likely to be in a state of joy because they have a positive outlook. However, childbearing ends up being more stressful and tiring than the couple had originally expected.

So why then do people believe that children bring happiness? Children definitely do bring joy some of the time. Experts believe that having children helps fulfill the fundamental human need of reproduction. However, fulfilling this need takes time and energy away from fulfilling other needs. With reduced sleep and increased stress, parents may be deprived of physiological contentment. Also, finding and keeping a long-term mate may be difficult with a child. Additionally, parents' status and esteem may be compromised, as when mothers have lower salaries than childless women.

Although children may bring happiness, this joy may be more fleeting, often interrupted by stress. Parents should not be discouraged from having children, but it is important to have realistic expectations regarding childbearing. Childbearing may be a source of stress for some individuals, and yet be a source of happiness for others.

Reference: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/big-question-does-having-children-make-us-happier.htm