New parenthood leads to a drop in happiness
A study showing that new parenthood rarely equates with happiness!
'About 30 percent remained at about the same state of happiness or better once they had the baby, according to self-reported measures of well-being. The rest said their happiness decreased during the first and second year after the birth.'
Of those new mothers and fathers whose happiness went down, 37 percent (742) reported a one-unit drop, 19 percent (383) a two-unit drop and 17 percent (341) a three-unit drop.
Being a new parent is hard work - sleep deprivation combined with new responsibilities can weigh heavily on us. The study showed that people's drop in happiness fell into three categories - one being the overwhelming responsibilities of new parenthood. One of the questions I have is whether happiness rises back once children become older?
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