Happiness From Having Children Is A Myth Says A Paris Study

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'Children bring Happiness!' is a long drawn conclusion on a debate we never had. Children are believed to be god's gift and the notion remained unchallenged till now.

A new study on the peoples happiness quotient after having a baby throws in some interesting and unexpected results. At a conference in London, Professor Andrew Clark of the Paris school of Economics and Professor Richard Layard co-author of the study quoted "We could not find systematically large effects (on well-being) from children".

Essentially this means there is no substantial reasoning behind children bringing happiness. The wide-ranging study covered countries like US, UK, Germany and Australia. The research further claims that the initial happiness of parenthood only lasts a year.

The study places a greater importance on domestic partnership. There has been a positive impact on people having partners and this happiness lasts much longer. Even the loss of a partner in case of death or separation is comparatively quickly recoverable. The study followed people four years before and after separation and found some kind of bouncing back.

However people adopt quickly when it comes to having children and this does not enhance their subjective well being. Research claims that a spouse or partner is more likely to bring joy than children. This study only researched the first four years so an in-depth further research will add value to the study entitled 'The origin Of Happiness'. There are chances that the decision on children when one grows old and needs to be taken care of, may once again tilt in favour of having them.

Statistically having a children increases the satisfaction quotient by 0.25 points out of ten but drops to zero within two years. Association of happiness with children is more of a social illusion than a reality.

However there is no doubt that children do bring joy and excitement in an otherwise mundane life. They often transform many houses into homes. This is not going to be an easy decision and the quintessential question remains the same, Parents - to be or not to be?