Love Plus One
Researchers have come to the conclusion that having one child is better than having two or more.
The article states that additional children will actually diminish a parent's happiness. Hmmm... I'll have to remember that next time my second child makes me laugh or smile. As if her presence in this family takes away from the quality of our lives.
"If you want to maximize your subjective well-being, you should stop at one child," says sociology professor Hans-Peter Kohler of the University of Pennsylvania.
What nonsensical psycho-babble. How much you want to bet Dr. Kohler either doesn't have children or can't even remember his kids' birthdays? I know too many fathers (and mothers) like this, who measure their happiness and well-being through career, possessions, hobbies, money, and anything other than their family.
My life is rich because of both my kids. When we had our first, I was happy. But I was even more happy when the second one came along. I can't even imagine thinking that my well-being had been maximized with just the one.
The article states that additional children will actually diminish a parent's happiness. Hmmm... I'll have to remember that next time my second child makes me laugh or smile. As if her presence in this family takes away from the quality of our lives.
"If you want to maximize your subjective well-being, you should stop at one child," says sociology professor Hans-Peter Kohler of the University of Pennsylvania.
What nonsensical psycho-babble. How much you want to bet Dr. Kohler either doesn't have children or can't even remember his kids' birthdays? I know too many fathers (and mothers) like this, who measure their happiness and well-being through career, possessions, hobbies, money, and anything other than their family.
My life is rich because of both my kids. When we had our first, I was happy. But I was even more happy when the second one came along. I can't even imagine thinking that my well-being had been maximized with just the one.
Permalink posted by Idaho Dad at 11:30 AM
4 Comments:
Thanks for picking up on this story. My wife and I have four children and I agree with you that each one adds a richness to life that could not be obtained with fewer children. It makes you wonder exactly how these researchers conduct their studies. What was their premise going into the study? Who did they interview?
Steve
Colorado Springs, Colorado
man, i love your blog. i really look forward to being a dad one day. your perspective really makes me look forward to it more. thanks.
"If you want to maximize your subjective well-being, you should stop at one child".
Hey, I think I can add to that. "And if your end goal in life is to maximize your subjective well-being, then maybe you shouldn't have children".
I'm going to go read that research now. Should be an entertaining read, hee hee.
I have to really question the data this guy is using to make this claim, the underlying assumptions alone probably totally predetermine the outcome here.
I'm not convinced that the families with one child that I know and have known are any happier or more satisfied than those with more. In fact, when I think about friends of my own parents, some of the happiest and most satisfied were the ones with big families, 5, 6, 7 kids. I personally could not imagine having 7 kids, but I also can't imagine that we'd be happier having only one.
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