Other Reasons for Happiness

Description

This table shows the other various causes that contribute to a loss in happiness. These are pegged or fixed to a drop in Income by a third. Shown by designating Income = 1

• As seen on the table Unemployment causes a drastic loss in overall happiness. Also in that same section, job security is a big variable, insecure thoughts lead to an drop of 1.5 points and also high unemployment rates result in that same 1.5 point drop.

• Another section illustrated is the idea of family. One main factor that contributes to happiness is the relation of husband and wife. Families that break up are quite substantially less happy.

• Health can also be a major factor in happiness. Policies that implement increased health care and benefits could substantially increase happiness. Mental health is a enormously overlooked section and making psychiatry a main project could change all this.

POLICIES

Employment policy - Human happiness is more affected by whether or not one has a job than by what kind of job it is. A three step process would help limit the negative processes that a lack of job create.

• 1. The philosophy of any job is better than no job should be adopted. A more pro-active placement service should be instituted to acomplish this philosophy
  2. On a similar note, jobs should be guaranteed to unemployed people up to a year of unemployment. This puts pressure on the government to make work and the individual to take it. This could be accomplished with a mixture of subsidies, supported work and training.
  3. Allowing low paying jobs is acceptable, but attached to these jobs should be in-work benefits. This should be coupled with the idea of reducing low skill areas.

(Richard Layard's view on employment policy)