Quote:
Originally Posted by Toy Soldier
Happiness beyond the basic needs such as food, water, shelter and companionship is really not linked to wealth at all so there is absolutely no reason to assume that just because a country is "poorer", its people aren't happier.
Some people live very happy, content lives almost completely "off the grid" with no material wealth at all. Some very rich people are so miserable that they take their own lives before they hit middle age.
The UK is a miserable place. People have miserable, materialistic priorities here. That's pushed by parents, in schools, and by the government every day... trying to convince us all from the age of 5 that the ultimate goals in life are "good grades", for "good jobs" and then "plenty of money" (and then supposedly you will be happy). When you combine that with crappy weather conditions that stop people from getting back to any sort of natural state at all, then no, it's not surprising that we're an unhappy nation at all.
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...yes I agree, happiness is not linked to wealth at all, hence as you say, some very rich people take their own lives ..there are also things like mental illness involved there which doesn't recognise 'rich' or 'poor', so that has to be considered as well...but basic things like food, water, shelter etc will only create survival, they won't create thriving or happiness either ..what some and many 'off the grid' people do have is positivity..it's not money or lack of it..'the simple unmaterialistic' life..it's their whole ability of being able to see positives in their lives ...I can only comment on my own experience in primary school level and I have never known any teacher/member of staff who has a thought or teaches that a child's ultimate are good grades, good jobs and plenty of money and that will create happiness for them...what they encourage is for a child to reach the best of their potential, whatever that potential is and that is a positive thing/not a negative thing...
...you say misery, misery, misery is pushed and crappy weather conditions..and that's the reason why it's a nation of unhappy young people..(according to this report..)...well, each year we have a children's African dance group visit our school, some of the 'happiest' children that I've ever met...they have some pretty crappy weather conditions also and their 'misery' is that they have no parents/families because they've lost them in the most brutal circumstances and they've been exposed to the most horrific things in their lives so what could be more 'miserable'.. but they're happy because they're positive..parents don't play a part because they have none..schools don't really play a part because they have the most basic of educations ..their happiness is within themselves, also unhappiness/negativity is within us as well and within them, it's just really what you focus on and what they focus on..all primary schools I know focus on the positive in children..so actually I do think..(and agree with Armand) that it is surprising because comparatively our children are given a good foundation in life to be positive and to believe in themselves...for the most part...funding, well that will always be a thing as it is in lots of areas but I think one thing that is not focused on enough are life skills and coping skills because really a 'healthy mind' will always create reaching full potential and a happy child...