Student #: 033-598-111
August 7th, 2015
Professor Julie Shaw
EAC150
What Is Happiness?
Most often today when people are asked what makes them happy, they instantly reply
money, clothes and cars. In particular with the younger generation, their concept of happiness
Has been fabricated with music videos and false value to materialistic items. Notably not all
parts of the world have the same options or opportunities as someone else may have on the
opposite side of the planet. Some believe money brings happiness whereas one may see
happiness as being with family and friends. A recent study done by World Happiness Report,
developed by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, …show more content…
A question that has always been asked in curiosity, is, does happiness vary across
Different cultures? In some cultures, mostly non-western cultures according to Dan Weijers
from his article called Journal Of Happiness Study, states happiness in non-western parts of the
World, is a less valued emotion compared to in America or Canada. Researchers from
The University of Wellington in New Zealand say that being raised in a culture where happiness
Is not encouraged, creates a feeling of voidness. Yet if you carefully examine Western
Civilization it is clear to see that humans attempt to increase their personal happiness so
that they could forget about anything negative. It is such a part of everyone's life to be a happy
camper that not showing signs of joy, raises concern of something wrong. In contrast with
for example in East Asia where the people are told to believe that it is inappropriate to
show emotions of joy. In some cases it is said that strong beliefs in karma and others viewing
you as selfish for your thoughts, that you will be cursed with myths of supernatural beings that
resent your current happiness and might punish you. There are many factors that …show more content…
Happiness in a society is very critical to a person's social life and overall appreciation for
being alive. If a society is happy, that will create an atmosphere for those who are friendly and
open to coincide with one another to have a happy social life, opposite for a society that has
poor social development. It is nearly impossible to be happy in an unhappy environment, that is
why this is an important necessary factor for what true happiness is. That being said, we still as
one, face disasters we all must encounter which in turn affects a society's happiness. From
changes in climate, poverty, increase in crime, hunger, and so many more issues that
a strong community or society would be able to tackle. Fatih Muslu from her book,