I'm in an econ class and i need at least 4 connections and the reason from this article.
Happiness Is ... Being Old, Male and Republican
Americans grow happier as they age, surveys find. And a new Pew Research Center survey shows the tendency is holding up as the economy tanks.
Happiness is a complex thing. Past studies have found that happiness is partly inherited, that Republicans are happier than Democrats, and that old men tend to be happier than old women.
And even before the economy got nasty, seniors were found to be generally happier than Baby Boomers. Some of that owes to the American Dream being lived by past generations, while Boomers work two jobs and watch the dream wither.
In times like this, it's clear how age can have its advantages. While not all seniors are weathering the recession well, for many the impact is much less severe than it is for younger people.
Why? Many people 65 and older retired and downsized their lifestyles before the economy imploded, according to Pew analysts. Most aren't raising kids and many are not so worried about being laid off. Loss of income can be, of course, a source of stress and displeasure. (While money doesn't buy happiness, a study in February showed cash can help, especially when people use it to do stuff instead of buy things.)
If you're thinking that Republicans are happy just because they perhaps make more money, that does not seem to be the case. The study that found Republicans to be happier than Democrats also showed that it held true even after adjusting for income.
It's those age 50-64 who've "seen their nest eggs shrink the most and their anxieties about retirement swell the most," the Pew survey found. It also finds that younger adults (ages 18-49) "have taken the worst lumps in the job market but remain relatively upbeat about their financial future."
Not everyone in any category is blissful, of course. Other research has shown that happiness in old age depends largely on attitude factors such as optimism and coping strategies. Add financial planning to the list.
In the new Pew telephone survey, taken in March and April of 2,969 adults, here's how many respondents in each age group said they had cut back on spending in the past year:
18-49: 68 percent
50-64: 59 percent
65+: 36 percent.
And is the recession causing stress in your family?
18-49: 52 percent
50-64: 58 percent
65+: 38 percent.
Now for the good news: A study in January found that key groups of people in the United States have grown happier over the past few decades, while other have become less so. The result: Happiness inequality has decreased since the 1970s. Americans are becoming more similar to each other on the happiness scale.
5 Keys to Happiness
Key to Happiness: Location, Location, Location
More Happy News
Robert Roy Britt is the Editorial Director of Imaginova. In this column, The Water Cooler, he looks at what people are talking about in the world of science and beyond.
What, exactly, do you need help with?
What do you mean by "4 connections"?
What do you mean by "the reason from this article"?
in which ways does this article relate to economics.... is what she/ he needs to know.
Based on the article, here are four connections and the reasons behind them:
1. Connection: Happiness and age.
Reason: The article mentions that Americans grow happier as they age. This connection is supported by past studies showing that old men tend to be happier than old women, and seniors are generally happier than Baby Boomers. One possible explanation provided is that seniors who retired before the recession downsized their lifestyles and are not as worried about being laid off. This suggests that having fewer financial worries and a more stable lifestyle can contribute to increased happiness as people get older.
2. Connection: Happiness and Republican affiliation.
Reason: The article mentions that Republicans are generally happier than Democrats. Interestingly, this connection holds true even after adjusting for income. The article does not explicitly state the reason behind this connection, but it could be due to a combination of factors such as conservative values, different beliefs about the role of government, and economic policies that align with Republican principles.
3. Connection: Happiness and financial situation.
Reason: The article suggests that the impact of the recession is less severe for seniors compared to younger individuals. Many seniors had already retired and downsized their lifestyles before the economy worsened. This means that they have a more stable financial situation and are not as worried about job loss or income reduction. In contrast, younger adults and those in the age group of 50-64 have been hit harder by the recession, experiencing shrinking nest eggs and anxieties about retirement. This difference in financial stability and outlook can impact happiness levels.
4. Connection: Happiness and spending cutbacks.
Reason: The article presents data on how different age groups have cut back on spending in the past year. It shows that younger adults (18-49) have cut back the most (68%), followed by the 50-64 age group (59%), and the 65+ age group (36%). This highlights how financial constraints and the need to reduce spending can negatively impact happiness. The data also suggests that older adults may have more financial stability and are less affected by the need to tighten their budgets, leading to a relatively higher level of happiness compared to younger age groups.
To further analyze and support these connections, it would be helpful to refer to the specific surveys and studies mentioned in the article, which can provide more detailed insights and statistical evidence.