The happiness of a child is something we all want, but what do they think? Are there differences between countries? Where are the happiest children considered? Researchers at the Swiss Jacobs Foundation have tried to make a "map of happiness" and have spoken with 53,000 children in fifteen countries to find out what they think about their families, rights, school life and hobbies.
Of course, like everything else, the concept of happiness varies from one person to another and in the case of children it was not going to be different. In this sense, it is remarkable that, according to the study, European children give greater importance to be happy to personal relationships, while African children dedicate this space to school life.
I was surprised by this conclusion. Is it because they have it harder? Why go to school, something that is not available to everyone, will provide future opportunities? Without a doubt, when the alternative is to have to work or perform other tasks of adults, the school becomes a salvation table.
The happiness of children in the world
The Children's World project is a great International Child Welfare Survey (ISCWeB), a worldwide research study on the subjective well-being of children. The study aims to collect reliable and representative data on the lives of children and their daily activities, their use of time and, in particular, their own perceptions and assessments of their well-being.
The children who were asked, focusing on their personal and school life, are between eight and twelve years old. The countries in which the surveys were conducted are Algeria, Colombia, South Korea, Spain, Estonia, Ethiopia, Germany, Israel, Nepal, Norway, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Most children said they were, in general, happy with their lives. The happiest infants in the world (or the countries consulted) live in Turkey (78% are considered totally happy), Romania, Colombia and South Korea. The lowest percentage of welfare (less than 5 out of 10) ranged from less than 2% in Romania and Colombia to more than 7% in South Korea and South Africa.
On the subject of happiness there are no differences between boys and girls in different countries, in general. The gender differences that were seen in the surveys were related to self satisfaction (body, appearance and self-confidence) in Europe and South Korea, but not in the other countries in the survey in Asia, Africa and South America.
The little ones in the European Nordic countries are more concerned about their appearance and are more shy than their partners in Africa and South America
As for the family unit, 61% of small Nepalese live not only with their parents, but also with their grandparents, while only 10% of children in the United Kingdom, Estonia and Norway are in permanent contact with their grandparents . The research also highlights the prevalence of children living in two different houses in some European countries: more than 10% of children in Norway, England and Estonia, a pattern rarely seen in other countries in the survey.
Estonians and Poles spend more time doing homework (surely the Spaniards too!) than the English and South Koreans. As for free time, it has been seen that children from Nepal, Algeria and South Africa tend to spend their free time taking care of their siblings and family members, while in Israel, Poland and Norway live the most amateur children to play sports and exercise.
77% of Norwegian children say they are aware of their rights (and 84% are convinced that adults respect those rights), while only 36% of English people know them.
Increase children's happiness, a challenge
Professor Asher Ben-Arieh, one of the study's principal investigators and co-chair of the International Society of Child Indicators, has said that this report is the culmination of many years of work to understand more about the child's opinions about their lives and well-being
The findings of the report have just been presented at the European Parliament in Brussels and will be presented in a series of conferences around the world during the rest of 2015. This is the first report of the current phase of the survey and will be expanded later on. studies.
Beyond the results, which are undoubtedly interesting, it seems commendable that the little ones and their happiness and well-being be taken into account. Let them be asked and finally reflect on it. The purpose of the project and the large survey is to improve the well-being of children through the awareness of children, their parents and their communities, but also among opinion leaders, politicians, professionals and the general public.
I hope to act to improve the happiness of children in the world, changing those aspects that have been seen that can make them unhappy and improving their quality of life. Something that, of course, parents can also contribute.
Photos | iStockPhoto
Official Site | ISCIWEB, Jacobs Foundation
In Babies and more | Five ideas for your child to grow up happy, How to raise children to grow up happy and not feel jealous for their siblings
