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The Observer view on Cameron’s Wellbeing Survey: we’re all feeling happier. Especially those with plenty of money and a good education The Observer view on Cameron’s Wellbeing Survey: we’re all feeling happier. Especially those with plenty of money and a good education
(10 days later)
How is life for you? According to the Office for National Statistics last week, drawing on figures prepared for the Personal Wellbeing survey, people are happier, more satisfied and less anxious than at any point in the three years since the research was first undertaken in 2011: a perk for George Osborne at the outset of the Conservative party conference this week. His policies might be hurting, but we appear to be smiling through.How is life for you? According to the Office for National Statistics last week, drawing on figures prepared for the Personal Wellbeing survey, people are happier, more satisfied and less anxious than at any point in the three years since the research was first undertaken in 2011: a perk for George Osborne at the outset of the Conservative party conference this week. His policies might be hurting, but we appear to be smiling through.
Respondents were asked to rate their lives on a scale of 0 to 10 in terms of criteria that included satisfaction in life and levels of anxiety and happiness the day before. Dawn Snape, co-author of the report, said better employment prospects and rising household income over the past year were the main reasons for people feeling more cheerful. Respondents were asked to rate their lives on a scale of 0 to 10 in terms of criteria that included satisfaction in life and levels of anxiety and happiness the day before. Dawn Snape, co-author of the report, said falling unemployment rates and improved economic news were making people feel more positive, despite evidence that wages have fallen in real terms since 2009.
However, as the respected Women’s Budget Group, consisting of feminist economists and academics, recently reported, women’s average wages have decreased over the past year and the pay gap has widened, while much of the employment is in dead-end jobs. The point at issue here is not that metrics of wellbeing are suspect – it’s welcome news if people are feeling cheerier – but that the interpretation of these metrics require care, since they carry political clout. As the respected Women’s Budget Group, consisting of feminist economists and academics, recently reported, women’s average wages have decreased over the past year and the pay gap has widened, while much of the employment is in dead-end jobs. The point at issue here is not that metrics of wellbeing are suspect – it’s welcome news if people are feeling cheerier – but that the interpretation of these metrics require care, since they carry political clout.
David Cameron launched the concept of measuring the nation’s wellbeing in 2010. Quoting Robert Kennedy speaking 40 years earlier, the prime minister said gross domestic product (GDP) had its purpose but that “…[it] measures everything except that which is worthwhile”.David Cameron launched the concept of measuring the nation’s wellbeing in 2010. Quoting Robert Kennedy speaking 40 years earlier, the prime minister said gross domestic product (GDP) had its purpose but that “…[it] measures everything except that which is worthwhile”.
Measuring national wellbeing matters because it challenges the dominance of wealth and consumption as indicators of “success” and it underlines the importance of relationships and the capabilities of individuals. Last week, apart from the conundrum of austerity not impeding greater contentment (adversity as social glue?), the ONS survey also revealed that among stay-at- home parents, 83% rated their sense of worth as high or very high, significantly above the average. Laura Perrins, a former barrister, from the group Mothers at Home Matter, said the figures showed that government policies encouraging more parents to work full time could be doing more harm than good. So, is this a blow for feminism?Measuring national wellbeing matters because it challenges the dominance of wealth and consumption as indicators of “success” and it underlines the importance of relationships and the capabilities of individuals. Last week, apart from the conundrum of austerity not impeding greater contentment (adversity as social glue?), the ONS survey also revealed that among stay-at- home parents, 83% rated their sense of worth as high or very high, significantly above the average. Laura Perrins, a former barrister, from the group Mothers at Home Matter, said the figures showed that government policies encouraging more parents to work full time could be doing more harm than good. So, is this a blow for feminism?
Again, it’s interpretation that counts – and more granular research is required. In 2013, 14 million women went out to work. Four out of 10 women with dependent children worked full time and 38% of part-timers had dependent children. In England and Wales, in 2013, there were 2.4 million full-time mothers, a fall of one million over 20 years. During the same period, the number of full-time fathers rose from 111,000 to 199,000. Both statistics could tell an economic story. Male unemployment, the economic need for a two-wage household and the high cost of childcare all influence decisions to go to work or involuntarily become a full-time parent.Again, it’s interpretation that counts – and more granular research is required. In 2013, 14 million women went out to work. Four out of 10 women with dependent children worked full time and 38% of part-timers had dependent children. In England and Wales, in 2013, there were 2.4 million full-time mothers, a fall of one million over 20 years. During the same period, the number of full-time fathers rose from 111,000 to 199,000. Both statistics could tell an economic story. Male unemployment, the economic need for a two-wage household and the high cost of childcare all influence decisions to go to work or involuntarily become a full-time parent.
Arguably, some of those women who are now full-time parents are exercising that choice because that is what they really want to do and the household budget can afford for them to do it. Rightly, they rate their decision as worthwhile. However, they are also in a situation very different from that of mothers in the 1950s, suffering from “the problem that has no name”, as Betty Friedan described it. Full-time motherhood then wasn’t a choice – it was a demand from society.Arguably, some of those women who are now full-time parents are exercising that choice because that is what they really want to do and the household budget can afford for them to do it. Rightly, they rate their decision as worthwhile. However, they are also in a situation very different from that of mothers in the 1950s, suffering from “the problem that has no name”, as Betty Friedan described it. Full-time motherhood then wasn’t a choice – it was a demand from society.
In the US, Pew Research shows that the number of stay-at-home mothers rose from 23% in 1999 to 29% in 2012 (10.4 million). The increase consisted of 4% highly educated women who returned to work in a couple of years; a third were immigrant mothers; 20% were single and poor and half of all stay-at-home mothers lacked qualifications. The majority of mothers said they would like paid work. Many were at home because of cultural expectations or because they had little choice.In the US, Pew Research shows that the number of stay-at-home mothers rose from 23% in 1999 to 29% in 2012 (10.4 million). The increase consisted of 4% highly educated women who returned to work in a couple of years; a third were immigrant mothers; 20% were single and poor and half of all stay-at-home mothers lacked qualifications. The majority of mothers said they would like paid work. Many were at home because of cultural expectations or because they had little choice.
So, amid this change, how much does the happiness of children count? Obviously, the metrics of wellbeing apply to them too. They need love, strong relationships, an active life, a good education and financial security. In these economic times, for the majority of mothers and fathers trying to meet these needs means that paid work has to be a part of parenting and a trade-off. Government policies could make that much easier but for many, for now, it needs to be said that parental employment is as positive and worthwhile a choice as opting to stay at home full time.So, amid this change, how much does the happiness of children count? Obviously, the metrics of wellbeing apply to them too. They need love, strong relationships, an active life, a good education and financial security. In these economic times, for the majority of mothers and fathers trying to meet these needs means that paid work has to be a part of parenting and a trade-off. Government policies could make that much easier but for many, for now, it needs to be said that parental employment is as positive and worthwhile a choice as opting to stay at home full time.