By all measures, the lives of women in the United States have improved significantly in the past 35 years. There are more job opportunities, more pay and more options for women to consider.
But when researchers looked at whether or not women are happier during that same time period — the answer was “no.” In self-reporting their well-being women say they are less happy today than they were in the 1970s.
There are several possible explanations.
First, the societal trends of decreased social cohesion, increased anxiety and increased household risk may be contributing to the decline. Second, increased opportunity to succeed has perhaps led to an increased likelihood of believing that “one’s life is not measuring up.” Third, lower pay rates in comparison to men may be also be a factor. Fourth, the increased complexity associated with juggling family, personal and career responsibilities (trifecta that rarely existed 35 years ago) may also be having a negative effect on well-being.
Note: this theme and many of these observations were made by Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers of the The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in a paper called, The Paradox of Declining Female Happiness.
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