A study published in the journal Acta Psychologica found that parents in China are happier on average than people without children. Among parents, having more children is associated with greater happiness, but only for people aged 60 and over. Parents with only daughters were found to be happier than those with only sons, with the strongest association among those with exactly two daughters. The study’s authors, Zhong Fei and Wenqin Jin, analysed data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), collected in six waves from 2012 to 2021. The analysis included data from 49 752 people, of whom 45 108 had children.
Data and methodology
The analysis used data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), a large-scale, multistage study launched by Renmin University of China in 2003. The survey covers all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China and targets the civilian population aged 18 and over. Participants were recruited from 100 counties and five major cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou and Shenzhen).
The analysis included data from 49 752 people, of whom 45 108 had children. Participants reported their level of happiness by answering the question, “Overall, do you feel happy with your life?” They also reported the number of biological children they had (including those who had died) and their sex. Respondents’ sex, age, ethnicity and other sociodemographic characteristics were also taken into account.
Main findings
On average, parents were happier than participants without children. Among parents, having more children was associated with greater happiness, but this association was evident only in the age group of 60 and over. Parents with only daughters reported higher levels of happiness than those with only sons. This association was strongest among middle-aged parents and those with exactly two daughters.
Parents with both sons and daughters showed no statistically significant differences in happiness compared with those with only sons. In addition, the positive association between the number of children and happiness was stronger among men, urban residents and people receiving a pension. The happiness advantage associated with having only daughters was greater among rural residents, middle-aged parents and those with a spouse.
Limitations and interpretation
The authors emphasise that the findings should be interpreted with caution. Since the analysis is based on CGSS data, the observed associations—particularly the strong positive association for the “two daughters” combination in families with two children—should be regarded as evidence specific to the sample in the contemporary Chinese context. Whether these patterns can be generalised to other cultural settings or time periods remains to be established through future cross-cultural and cross-national studies.
In addition, happiness was assessed using a single question, so the reliability and, in particular, the stability over time of these assessments remain unknown. The study design does not allow conclusions to be drawn about cause and effect. It remains unclear whether having children makes people happier, whether happy people are more likely to decide to have children, or whether this association is due to some other factor.
Source: PsyPost – Psychology News
