ktmeng/mec huggingface dataset:
Topic: happiness

Life of rational human beings consists of vast variety of different actions that serve as a stairs to achieve happiness, because they desire happiness as an ultimate purpose in itself. Many great and influential thinkers and philosophers stated this point. However, there are difficulties and obstacles which are essential and which have to be overcame in order to achieve happiness. Therefore, happiness as an end goal motivates people to overcome difficulties, which are the essential part of their lives. Eventually, the evil, which at first sight seem to have nothing in common with happiness, indeed serve as a tool to achieve happiness. Thus, every essential components of humans’ lives have an end purpose to achieve happiness.
Topic: happiness

Human beings are always in search of happiness. Happiness is the ultimate goal of every person and it remains a constant motivation in their life. However, there are many obstacles that human beings experience in the path of happiness. One of the major obstacles is the body image of a person. If a person is overweight, then it becomes difficult for them to become a happy person. A healthy self image depends not only on personal achievements but also on the physical and social image that a person has.
Topic: happiness

Hence, people become happy only when they get appreciated and accepted by people around them. However, this leads to a major problem as it makes people depend on others for their happiness. Instead of doing things that make them happy, people start following the goals and ‘living standards’ that are set by others for them. This leads to misery and self destructive behavior patterns (Chopra, 1994, p. 42). Genuine physical beauty and emotional happiness can be achieved only when a person practices self-acceptance (Chopra, 1994, p. 42). However, self-acceptance does not come easily. The idea of ‘perfect life’ and ‘perfect body’ is shaped by the television and print media and not on the basis of self knowledge. However, it is necessary to understand that every human being is unique and hence, has a unique body and mind system (Chopra, 1994, p. 18). If a person tries to copy other people’s weight pattern or food habits, then he becomes vulnerable to losing his individuality and health. Hence, the healthier way to reduce weight is to understand the root cause of the problem and try to treat it rather than trying to reduce the weight only through exercise and diet. However, to analyze and understand the root of the problem, it is necessary to look at the problem through the psychological perspective.
Topic: happiness

Studies have found that people who lose their weight through strict diet gain it back within a year’s time (Chopra, 2004, p.66). People who lose their weight through strict dieting end up gaining more weight than losing it in a long term period (Chopra, 2004, p.66). This inconsistent pattern of losing and gaining weight by going on and off the diet is worse than being overweight as it is dangerous to health (Chopra, 2004, p.66). Moreover, information regarding the quick fix diets are always conflicting. Some studies say that margarine is better than butter as it maintains healthy cholesterol (Chopra, 2004, p.66). However, other studies have revealed that margarine is dangerous to health as it reduces good cholesterol and increases cholesterol in body (Chopra, 2004, p.66). In this way, the conflicting claims made by different ‘quick fix’ diets create doubt over the authenticity of the diets and its positive effect on the body.
Topic: happiness

Every problem that human beings experience is rooted in the core of their being. The core of human beings is their emotional and spiritual aspect. Hence, if a problem is to be solved permanently, then it needs to be treated from the roots. Hence, a humanistic approach to resolve a problem is a right approach. Humanistic approach believes that every human being is born with a unique potential and hence, rather than developing him into a robot by making him learn through behavior modification tools, he should be encouraged to actualize his own potential (Bernstein, 2011, P.443). According to Goldstein (1939), people who adopt humanistic approach believe that people can fulfill their own unique potential and achieve their ideal goal because their behavior is driven by an innate drive to grow towards their potential (Bernstein, 2011, P.443). Humanistic approach respects the ‘individuality’ in every human being and helps him to achieve his own potential rather than training him into becoming a robot-like creature by behaving like others.
Topic: happiness

Abraham Maslow was a humanistic psychologist. He believed that for a human being to be happy and healthy, he needs to fulfill his basic needs first and then grow towards achieving the higher needs of self-actualization (Wong, 2006, p.198). To describe what needs are important in what stages of life, Maslow designed a theory called ‘the hierarchy of needs.’ He divided these needs in five levels and stated that if a particular need at a certain level is not fulfilled, then the person gets stuck at that level and his growth is stunted. The five levels are as follows:
Topic: happiness

The Belongingness and Love Needs: This need makes people to find support, relationship and attachment to people (Goble, 2004, p.54). According to Maslow, fulfillment of love needs are necessary because it can help a person to express himself fearlessly, and encourages him to behave naturally rather than wearing a mask in front of others (Goble, 2004, p.55). Love helps people to develop trust in others which is essential for growth of a person (Goble, 2004, p.55).
Topic: happiness

The Esteem Needs: According to Maslow, there are two types of esteem needs and they are, ‘self respect’ and ‘esteem from other people’ (Goble, 2004, p.56). The qualities of confidence, competence, mastery, adequacy, achievement, independence and freedom help human beings in developing self-esteem (Goble, 2004, p.56). Social recognition, prestige, reputation and status help a person in gaining respect from others (Goble, 2004, p.56).
Topic: happiness

Self-Actualization Needs: Fulfillment of the first four levels of needs brings a person to a level of self-actualization, where he is able to achieve everything that he is capable of achieving (Goble, 2004, p.57). That is, a human being achieves his complete potential at this level. However, even if a single need in the first four levels is not fulfilled, then he gets stuck at that level and becomes unhappy.
Topic: happiness

Carl Rogers was prominent humanistic psychologist and believed that personality of a person begins to develop right from his childhood (Bernstein, 2011, P.443). According to Rogers, approval from others is the basic need of a child and when this need is not fulfilled, he begins to evaluate himself negatively (Bernstein, 2011, P.443). He was in favor of ‘unconditional positive regard’ as according to him, showing affection and love with a ‘condition’ attached to it, makes a child feel worthless rather than making him feel loved and important (Bernstein, 2011, P.443). The attempt to gain approval from others makes a child do things that are not in congruence with his nature and this makes him to develop a disintegrated personality in later life (Rogers, 1995, p.167). Hence, it is very necessary to show affection and love to a child without demanding something in return for it. An unconditional positive regard helps a child to develop a healthy personality and to become a self-actualized person by bringing out the unique qualities in him.
Topic: happiness

The above discussion shows that problems in life are not due to external reasons. They are the manifestation of the disintegrated personality. When a person goes against his own nature and his spiritual self, he suffers from misery and unhappiness. Hence, rather than searching for happiness in the outside world, people should search for happiness inside themselves. Happiness does not lie in external factors but lies in finding the ‘true self’ and the ‘highest potential’ which is hidden in the heart of every human being.
Topic: happiness

Life has different paths to embark on. At times it can seem as though we move at a constant pace never reaching our true capability, and other times we fly happily through our days one activity on top of the other, knowing our lives are exactly how we dreamed they could be. The actions we take to direct the course of our daily life can either lead to a life of happiness or one of meaninglessness. Samuel Beckett and William Shakespeare distinguish the meaninglessness of life and how it can originate through absurd human actions.
Topic: happiness

Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot, addresses two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, in a seemingly endless cycle of life where they are constantly waiting around for a person named Godot, who could potentially show up today, tomorrow, next week, or never. William Shakespeare’s King Lear augments the life of King Lear and his family, directing how King Lear’s absurd decisions ultimately destroy his familial bond as well as his life.
Topic: happiness

Estragon’s beginning line of the play, as Beckett writes, states “there is nothing to be done” (Beckett 1.1). This beginning statement directs the plight of Vladimir and Estragon: how they always choose to remain in a cycle. Every time Vladimir states that they are waiting for Godot, it is directed less as a choice but almost as if it has been engrained in his mind out of habit. From multiple occurrences of waiting, they have developed a habit. As shown later in act one, the question of what they did yesterday arises (1.161). Neither Estragon nor Vladimir can remember for sure what they did the day before. Their inability to recall information that should still be fairly new provides evidence suggesting that they have been partaking in this cycle for much longer, therefore, showing the effect their decisions have had on the meaning of their lives.
Topic: happiness

The cycle of waiting and waiting for someone to come manifests the absurdities that cause their life to lose meaning. At the end of each act Beckett writes, “Estragon: Well, shall go? Vladimir: Yes, let’s go. [they do not move]” (1.1242-3). This choice to wait, results in the conclusion that the only way out of the cycle is by dying. Their remarks regarding death, particularly hanging themselves, are just as absurd, if not more, than the overall context of the story. They contemplate committing suicide in both acts but decide not to for fear that it will not work. Discussion of death is always tragic, but in Waiting for Godot Estragon and Vladimir look towards it as a way out, something they can casually discuss. Ultimately, they decide no action at all because they cannot be sure what it will bring. To talk of death in such a way only expresses the meaninglessness of their lives in a greater depth.
Topic: happiness

The meaninglessness of life in Waiting for Godot begins as the curtain rises and is further constructed throughout the story, whereas in King Lear the shift from sensibility to absurdity is nothing less than the result of wrong doings. Shakespeare begins King Lear with Lear’s discussion amongst his daughters to divide up the kingdom between them. To do so, Lear asks them to explain how much they love him. Lear’s decision to divide the kingdom, is ultimately the first decision that steers him from senselessness. The lines spoken by Goneril and Regan consist of meaningless flattery. The loving statements presented by Goneril and Regan mean nothing but power to them, resulting in the mistaken division of the land between two of Lear’s daughters and the banishment of the third, Cordelia. From this decision forward, Lear descends into madness. Shakespeare writes, “O let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven! I would not be mad. Keep me in temper, I would not be mad” (Shakespeare 1.5.43-45). King Lear tries to fight his madness, but he knows that the events set into motion will not allow this. Lear is powerless to stop the chaos he has caused by his absurd decisions, and knowing he cannot change his decisions pushes him further into a life without meaning.
Topic: happiness

Shakespeare uses King Lear’s madness to show absurdity and how life can lose meaning. In multiple conversations between Lear and other characters, Shakespeare shows Lear’s inability to properly conduct a conversation without absurdity. A section of the conversation between Lear and Edgar reads, “Look, look a mouse: peace, peace, this piece of toasted cheese will do’t” (4.6.88-9). As in Waiting for Godot where many of the conversations while they wait are absurd, as Lear descends into madness the words constructed for him by Shakespeare are also absurd. After the death of his daughters, specifically Cordelia, King Lear finally reaches the conclusion that life is meaningless and that he has nothing left for himself. Shakespeare writes the following lines for King Lear, “Why should a dog, a horse, a rat have life and thou no breathe at all?” (5.3.304). Lear proposes the question as to why certain things even have life if one specific person cannot live. Lear dies thereafter, showing that he has escaped this life that has become meaningless. Unlike King Lear, the characters in Waiting for Godot never reach a traumatic moment that allows them to shed light on life’s meaninglessness, but instead remain stuck in their constant cycle.
Topic: happiness

Both Waiting for Godot and King Lear address absurdity and the meaninglessness of life. Absurdity in Waiting for Godot is shown throughout the work, but in King Lear, Shakespeare gradually develops absurdity. Estragon, Vladimir, and King Lear are all characters whose decisions have ultimately resulted in their lives having nothing to show and nothing to live for. The results of their decisions convey the importance of human actions. Every day we are forced to make decisions. These decisions can lead to happiness or a life that is less meaningful than expected. Vladimir and Estragon refuse to leave the tree due to the fear of missing Godot. They believe Godot will bring them safety, as King Lear believes splitting his kingdom up will do, but, unfortunately, they become caught in a cyclical web. Shakespeare and Beckett both use absurdity to show the meaninglessness life can have, and the impact it has on someone.
Topic: happiness

Researchers have found fundamental evidence that people experience a more positive mood when they are engaged in leisure activities, such as exercising and socializing. Are you that person that works too much? Or that person that is relaxing home alone? Either one isn’t the best way to be inspired and enhance your life’s satisfaction. Finding people that you can share your passions with, for example, if you love running, then join that runner’s club now. Do you like to paint and be creative, go take that creative drawing class in town.
Topic: happiness

Spending time helping others is another habit that can enhance your mood and physical health. Studies showed that people who spend time helping someone else (versus who spent time on themselves) reported feeling like they had more time. Who doesn’t want to feel like they have more time? Of course, helping others can mean anything, from offering help to that old lady crossing the street, to helping a lost foreigner find his way to the train station. And if you have time, you can help out with more substantial projects, such as helping your neighbor paint their living room walls. Whatever you do for another person, will give you instant gratification and activates your positive attitude.
Topic: happiness

As already mentioned above, engaging in leisure activities seems to increase happiness. Consistent with these findings, people also report greater happiness when they are busy. Across the activities that fill your life, greater variety also increases excitement and engagement. Therefore filling your week with highly varied activities increases happiness. Of course, packing your week excessively is the catch in this paragraph. The goals aren’t to cramp your week with so many activities that you can’t even take a breath.
Topic: happiness

Buying yourself those dream sunglasses? Or buying your best friend a tasty cup of coffee? Rising research suggests that the material purchases we make for ourselves (from designer bags to houses to gadgets) often fail to pay off in increased happiness. Yet, spending money on others and buying experiences can promote happiness. In this paragraph, we emphasize ‘spending money’ but of course it’s not about the amount of money spend. It’s about the experience of the receiver and the social aspect of giving.
Topic: happiness

Last in order but not of importance. Research shows there is a crisis of so-called ‘meaning’ in our world today. Many people feel overcome, isolated, and unfulfilled. In pursuing the “good life”. They have forfeited their relationships, their health. At the end of the day, still, find themselves with lives and work that bring them little pleasure and purpose. According to Alex Pattakos, Ph.D. the solution or antidote is not about the search for happiness. Happiness is an emotion that is linked to pleasure but it is temporary. We can share a happy moment when we are enjoying a good meal or a good laugh with a friend, but this emotion only lasts a short time. Sooner or later, we must confront and react to the challenges life throws at us. We must be ready to take on the fullness of life.  Including all its ups and downs, all the joys and sorrows, the pleasures as well as the suffering. As can be found in his book. The ancient Greek philosophers, such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle wisely taught us the following. Life is not about living a happy life, it’s about living the complete life. The meaningful life.
Topic: happiness

What is happiness? How do we get it? Where does it come from? These questions have been debated throughout history. Each question is viewed and answered differently by every person. The first people who began questioning the true definition of happiness were Greek Philosophers. Some philosophers believed that it came from hedonism. Hedonism is the pursuit of sensual pleasure. Others believed happiness was a goal to be achieved, a final destination that made the injustices of life worthy of something. These ideas are still prevalent today.
Topic: happiness

Self image is very important, as well as having a positive one. In the writing “ Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” by Nathaniel Hawthorne it talks about elderly people who are unhappy due to their aged appearance. “Give us more of this wondrous water!” cried they, eagerly. “We are young- but we are still too old! Quick- give us more!” (Hawthorne 4). This quote shows how unhappy they were until they began becoming younger looking again, and they were happier, more content and pleased with themselves and their appearance, and craved to continue looking that way.
Topic: happiness

Happiness is a global pursuit. It is carved and experienced by many. I think that the people you are around or feel the absence of them effects how happy and pleased you feel. In the article by The New Yorker “A better kind of Happiness” it talks about the physical aspects of happiness. “In a small study, since repeated in larger trials, they compared blood samples from six people who felt socially isolated with samples from eight who didn’t. Among the lonely participants, the function of the genome had changed in such a way that the risk of inflammatory diseases increased and antiviral response diminished. It appeared that the brains of these subjects were wired to equate loneliness with danger, and to switch the body into a defensive state” (The New Yorker 2). This quote explains how people who have a more secluded atmosphere become more physically uncomfortable and their bodies also becomes somewhat unhappy.
Topic: happiness

Southern California is known for its year round sunny weather and sublime beaches with sun kissed people strolling along them. Huntington Beach fits this stereotype perfectly, with eight and a half miles of beautiful coast and hundreds of surfers on the waves daily, there is no wonder why it’s earned the nickname of Surf City. A small stretch of the beach, only a mile long, is the magical oasis of dog paradise. This is a place where dogs are allowed to frolic with one another and to pursue their curiosities of the environment around them.
Topic: happiness

As the glowing sun shines down upon the loose curls of her caramel fur, her tongue hangs out of her mouth and tail wags back and forth. It is easy to tell that she is in a blissful state. Pixie’s snout is freshly encrusted with wet sand from her thorough exploration of almost all the piles of washed up seaweed. Her paws are already soaked from the white foam on the sand where the ocean meets the land. It does not take long for Pixie to acquire new friends.
Topic: happiness

While she gets adjusted to her new found companions by exchanging friendly butt sniffs, her owner is in a frantic state for she seems to have lost her dog. Following the tumultuous crowd of dogs, she of course finds Pixie in the mix of all of the dogs. After several shouts of her name, Pixie comes trotting back, unphased by the stress she induced on her owner. Nonetheless, she is welcomed back with open arms. As the dog’s owner begins to scratch behind Pixies ears, Pixie’s hot breath fans over her face and makes her owner laugh in slight disgust. Continuing to laugh, the owner caresses the fluffy fur of her dog, which provides comfort that immediately masks over her preexisting worries.
Topic: happiness

The sun beams down on the shore, casting ethereal rays of warmth upon everyone. The splash of the waves leaves a sense of tranquility in the air.While packs of dogs race around each other, flocks of seagulls graze over the water, relishing the salty breeze. Footprints of countless people settle into the sand until the water washes them away. The sensation of the sand underneath her hands is reminiscent and brings back blithe memories. Those thoughts soon leave for a gust of wind has brought sand into her mouth. It’s hard to get the feeling of the gritty texture off her teeth and tongue. Once she finally rids of the sand, she begins to relax by laying down and closing her eyes, while allowing the sun to absorb in her skin. Listening to the distant sound of seagulls and the nearby crashes of the waves sends her into a state of being on the threshold of consciousness. No longer thinking about the unfinished homework that is due tomorrow, she lets all her worries wash away with the waves. The abrupt high pitched yap of Pixies bark brings her back to reality. Alerted, she blinks rapidly trying to get her eyes to adjust to the brightness of the sun. She looks around trying to spot Pixie in the mass of dogs. Once she spots Pixie in a playful game of tug-o-war with another dog, she smiles as bright as the sun. Seeing Pixie romp around brings joy to her heart and she can not think of any place she would rather be.
Topic: happiness

Deciding she has had enough of the powerful sun, she strips off her cover up and casually begins to walk toward the shore. The refreshing feeling of the wet sand immediately cools her feet as she gazes down at the bubbles created by the mole crabs burrowing in their holes. The mist from the water sprays on her face and sends chills through her body. The drastic change from the heat of the sun to the frigid water is satisfying. The minute her head is submerged in the cool waves, she can feel the fresh sting of seawater in her eyes. Soon, the burn leaves her eyes and spreads to her nose. The soft waves gently tug at her feet and she can feel the slimy, yet velvety texture of seaweed between her legs. She stands in the water and looks back on the shore to see her ironically imperfect utopia. When she is here, she is at peace.
Topic: happiness

As the sun starts to kiss the sea, she calls for her dog and smiles as Pixie runs towards her in excitement. Looking down at her feet, engulfed by the tiny grains of sand, she subconsciously wiggles her toes, a motion so small and unimportant compared to ideas that take up the space of the universe. Beginning to pack up, she looks back on the day and wishes she could rewind the clock. The serenity of the beach has made her forget all about her previous worries, and has given her peace of mind.
Topic: happiness

Happiness, “a state of well-being and contentment.”(Merriam-Webster, 2018) Happiness is the feeling of joy and it is one of the most pleasurable emotions of life. For many people happiness is something that is searched for and a goal that is set. To be happy there is an enormous number of specifics that can bring you happiness. Everyone is different therefor to achieve the feeling of happiness it varies on the person. Happiness is just a state of mind.
Topic: happiness

One of Aristotle’s most influential works is the Nicomachean Ethics, which is where he presents the well-studied theory of happiness. Throughout Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle asked, “What is the ultimate purpose of human existence?” (Aristotle) He realized that everyone has an end point or a main goal that we should direct some time towards. Aristotle argues that happiness is the end goal; he further explained how it’s easy to say we desire money, pleasure, and honor since we believe that these goods will make us happy. Therefore, when you feel happy for a short time it is not happiness at all; it a pleasurable moment.
Topic: happiness

If it isn’t ‘stuff’ that achieves happiness, then what can? Well, goals can. People need to have a sense of purpose. But people that have a sense of purpose in their life often have a feeling of satisfaction about them. To each person, this purpose can be different. Maybe they were meant to teach. Maybe they were meant to mother. Maybe they were meant to learn. And goals can be small things, like taking an extra moment each day to breathe. But having progress in life, a feeling of forward motion, can make people feel happy.
Topic: happiness

But taking that forward motion too far can be a bad thing. Success at the expense of everything else, for example, leads to the opposite of happiness. Life requires balance. And people that understand that there is a balance to work and play, strife and joy, are more in tune with the universe and, therefore, better able to achieve happiness. Life with a dose of humor is more pleasant. Comedians, compared to any other profession, live the longest because they understand that laughter adds the spice to life, and makes daily progress worth the minor tribulations.
Topic: happiness

So, people can be happy if they have something to strive for and something to laugh about. But is that it? Can people with goals and a sense of humor still be unhappy? Well, yes. After all, the final key to happiness is the decision to be happy. Human nature can see negative energy anywhere. People can fixate on problems instead of solutions. At the end of the day, “happiness depends upon us.” (Aristotle). Most people are as happy as the actually believe deep down inside.
Topic: happiness

Another great way to try and be more optimistic is to create an imaginary ‘movie’ of your life in your mind. Think about how you feel, how you look, what accomplishments you have, what you do, and what your life is like. Then set aside a few seconds each day to play this movie in your mind. This is a simple but effective mental training exercise which will instantly boost your mood and change the way you think about yourself and your future.
Topic: happiness

Manage your time. Time is beneficial and too vital to waste. Time administration can be viewed as a list of rules that involves scheduling, setting goals, planning, developing lists of matters to do and prioritizing. These are the core fundamentals of time administration that be understood to enhance an environment-friendly personal time administration skill. These primary capabilities can be great tuned similarly to encompass the finer factors of every talent that can provide you that extra reserve to make the outcomes you desire.
Topic: happiness

Being a parent is usually considered as a job, an irreplaceable and genuine job; however, it sometimes requires a great deal of dedication and effort in order to properly raise children and to fulfill their needs. Parenthood, as stated by Umberson, Pudrovska, and Reczek (2010), is a transformative and influential process; therefore, being a parent is not just a mere task that one can accomplish overnight. It is a challenging experience that sometimes can cause enervation and stress. In line with this, according to an article written by Glover (2018), being a parent, especially in the present time is becoming harder than ever for the reason that there are several new challenges that parents may face or are currently facing.
Topic: happiness

Wong (2018) enumerated 12 skills that good parents possess, most of which focus on the child’s positive behavior, teaching them to view challenges positively, helping them develop social skills, opting for guidance over control, providing a sense of security, developing the child’s resilience and perseverance, and management of one’s own stress. Parents do not live only for themselves. Depending on the number of children, they are also held accountable for the lives of their children as well. In a web article by Garvin and Margolis (2015), they discussed the role of an adviser stating that “while you provide oversight and guidance, your ultimate goal is to empower the seeker to act independently.
Topic: happiness

In a child’s life, a lack of parental control is linked to unconventional family arrangements due to separation, migration, and remarriage. (Siagian, Arifiani, Amanda, & Kusumaningrum, 2019). Often for two people, the task of parenting becomes tedious when a duo becomes only one. Miguel (2018) defined a solo parent as any individual who shoulders the sole responsibility of caring for a child or children. As stated by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), there are more than 17 million solo parents in the country (Pelayo, 2018). More specifically, from the same government office, the PSA (2015) recorded 12,660 single parents within the province of Cavite that live with their children in the household.
Topic: happiness

To enumerate the qualifications of these said individuals, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (n.d.) defines them based on RA 8972 as, (1) a woman who, as a result of rape, gives birth provided that she raises the child; (2) parent left with the responsibility of childcare due to death, detention, physical or mental incapacity of a spouse, legal separation from said spouse, annulment or nullification of marriage; (3) an unmarried state between partners; (4) any sole provider of parental care and; (5) any succeeding family head ascribed to the abandonment, death, or prolonged absence of the parents. Entrusted with a wide range of responsibilities, these individuals face a great amount of adversity and distress.
Topic: happiness

It was stated that single parents have lower levels of happiness and life fulfillment than those who have a partner (Aassve et al., 2012; Nelson et al., 2013;). The adversities of single parenthood are identified as financial instability, little or no time for themselves, struggle in raising a child or being the only “disciplinarian”, and difficulty in welcoming new relationships (Better Health Channel, 2018). Along with personal and familial problems, work-related stress proves to be a hindrance as well.  There are at least two notable reasons that employment is considerably more insufficient for single parents than for other workers: gendered inequality and increasingly precarious employment conditions. The former refers to the subsequent gender wage gap that includes occupational partition, differences in working conditions, penalties for mothers, and fatherhood discrimination, putting mothers at a disadvantage (Duncan & Edwards, 1997; Goldin, 2014; Gornick, 2004; Halldén et al., 2016; Härkönen et al., 2016b; Maldonado 2018). A few research studies have even demonstrated that the generally revealed the negative impact of parenthood on prosperity is actually limited to single parents (Angeles, 2010).
Topic: happiness

The adversities mentioned above are what single parents experience, causing them to feel despondent. Being unhappy has a great impact on people, especially on their well-being which is why it is essential to have a positive outlook on living. Single parents, being unhappy, may affect the way they approach caring for their children as well as their perspectives about life. With that, this study incorporates positive psychology to help them look at life in a positive light amidst challenges. Positive Psychology is a developing branch of psychology which enhances positive and versatile human attributes (Snyder and Lopez, 2009). It is concerned with examining positive aspects of life including accomplishments, commitments, meaning, and relationships. This study aspires to determine the correlation between happiness and resilience among single parents to be able to accentuate that even though they experience a lot of hardships, they are made aware of how to bounce back and still manage to find happiness in life.
Topic: happiness

Single parenting is not an easy process to execute since it means being alone in taking care of all the responsibilities in a household. Single parents are those individuals who play a dual role in a family; as a father and as a mother. As discussed in the study of Stephen and Udisi (2016), single parenthood is not new in society as it has always been existing even before; however, its meaning is complicated as it changed and varied across time (Nieuwenhuis & Maldonado, 2018). Single parenthood can either be single mothers or single fathers that handle the whole family by themselves. According to the study of Maldonado (2017), single parents mostly experience insufficiency in terms of resources that make it arduous for them to provide for their household which complicates their lives. With this kind of adversity, their strength as the steady figure in the household is being tested that is why being resilient is an important character trait in order to circulate toughness as well as to maintain the ideal state inside the household. The study recognizes two variables in opposition to these obstructive attributes; namely, resilience and happiness.
Topic: happiness

As per the American Psychological Association (2014), Resilience is the way toward adaptability notwithstanding difficulty, injury, disaster, dangers, or even critical wellsprings of stress. Resilience theory covers a variety of aspects that talk about the effect of testing occasions on people and families and how well they have adjusted to adversities. Research encompassing strength is driven by these inquiries: (1) What is the distinction for kids whose lives are undermined by drawbacks or affliction? (2) How could it be that a few kids effectively conquered serious life difficulties and grow up to lead an able and composed life? The responses to these inquiries would give significant procedures for actualizing the impacts of affliction on kid advancement and prosperity (Masten, 2011).
Topic: happiness

Resilience as a theoretical construct was acquainted with scientific research during the 1980s. Hypothetical foundations for understanding resilience emerged from longitudinal examinations on personality qualities in adolescents (Gąsior, Chodkiewicz, and Cechowski, 2016). Resilience is denied in two regards: (1) as a personality property, a generally steady disposition, which determines flexibility to changing life necessities ( Grzankowska and Ślesińska-Sowińska, 2016) and (2) as a process of versatile ability to beat negative life occasions (Piórowska et al., 2017). Resilience is moderately steady and develops for an incredible duration.
Topic: happiness

An increased level of well-being results from numerous variables including surviving negative encounters and creating resilience (Wong, 2010). Everly (2009) theorized that a person’s capacity to have low or high resilience might be identified with either being happy or remorseful. To nurture resilience one must, most likely, manage stress successfully in light of the fact that affliction will undoubtedly occur sooner or later in each individual’s life. Being resilient advances wellbeing and happiness. To promote resilience one must make inward strength by utilizing activities, convictions, and principles. Activities incorporate social help, using sound judgment, taking responsibility, carrying on with a healthy lifestyle, and beliefs that incorporate being idealistic and having confidence.
Topic: happiness

Happiness is firmly identified with subjective well-being (Diener, 2011) and infers that individuals think and feel that their lives are going well (Lucas and Diener, 2009). For most people, being happy is the main objective throughout everyday life (Bojuwoye and Sylvester, 2012). Happiness is significant on the grounds that it has been observationally found to prompt positive personal, conduct, physical, mental and social outcomes (Diener and Chan, 2011). Thus, happiness is not just a significant objective in itself yet additionally a significant impact upon other significant life domains (Diener and Ryan, 2009). In light of its results, happiness at that point proposes emotional prosperity for people as well as cultural speculation (Diener et al., 2009).
Topic: happiness

More recent studies, assessed by happiness and life-satisfaction surveys, convey long-term trends in subjective well-being and welfare reform conjecture to the increase of happiness of single mothers over the last few decades (Ifcher 2011; Ifcher and Zarghamee 2011; Herbst 2012). Although this is the case, it is worth noting that single parents have greater tendencies to experience chronic stress than married ones (Cairney et al. 2003 cited by Stack & Meredith, 2018). Within a study about single mothers conducted by Booth (2013), it was stated that compared to major negative events, Lyubomirsky (2013) was cited in discussing that minor negative events faced by women in their daily lives do not induce the same effective coping skills applied to the former. This gives support to the statement mentioned that along with the constant emotional, physical, and psychological support provided to children, enjoyment in every moment of mothering is scarce rather than prevailing. Even though this is the case, peak-end theory, as explained by Kahneman in the mid-1990s, is the representation of experiences by its peak level of pain or pleasure (Holt, 2011). Booth (2013), who is previously mentioned, utilized the said theory in investigating mothers, describing that while they do not find pleasure in folding laundry or dealing with temper tantrums, peak moments included in the experience of parenting like graduation, or a child’s first employment may aid in viewing childcare as meaningful and rewarding.
Topic: happiness

In particular, researchers found that while measuring people’s feelings during and remembering life events, the detailed moment-to-moment evaluations do not encapsulate the retrospective evaluations of the said events; rather, peak and end moments determine how experiences are remembered (Diener, Wirtz, & Oishi, 2001; Fredrickson & Kahneman, 1993; Kahneman, Fredrickson, Schreiber, & Redelmeier, 1993; Redelmeier & Kahneman, 1996; Wirtz, Kruger, Scollon, & Diener, 2003; Mogilner & Norton, 2018). Related to the supporting statement for the theory above, Theobald and Cooper (2012) stated that the ‘scarcity’ of happiness seems to be a factor for desiring it; not being happy all the time leads to having the tendency to cherish the memory of it. Coupled with how peak and end moments elucidate the process of retaining memories, the preference for happiness, in this case, becomes valuable to single parents in maintaining a positive view towards raising their children. This positive view is included in mental well-being as it is experienced by mentally-well people having the capacity to enhance healthy relationships with others, possesses emotional literacy, manage disputes without manipulation, experience joy, able to cope, and be resilient; (Rahman, Ansari, & Parveen, 2016) all are factors that can aid in parenthood.
Topic: happiness

As attested by various researches including Cheeseman (2010) in her research about the resilience of single mothers, albeit qualitative methods are significant in distinguishing potential instruments and procedures, these findings are most dominant when connected with quantitative methods to affirm their interceding impacts to empower support for the proposed hypothesis. To this end, these findings could be utilized as a foundation to research the resilience and happiness of the proposed components and their intervening impacts with regards to single parenthood. Moreover, the field remains limited in conceptualizing and measuring the change in single parents as referenced in a research study about promoting strength and resilience in single-mother families. Most researchers stay concentrated on evaluating psychopathology, for example, anxiety, and depression (Taylor, 2017). In any case, low levels of anxiety and depression do not really compare with “wellbeing.” In addition, other measures are likely expected to precisely assess the mental wellbeing and prosperity of single parents. Furthermore, recent studies about resilience focus more on people with post-traumatic stress disorder (Southwick, et al., 2014). Hence, there has been relatively little research that investigated the connection between single parenthood and resilience. As a result, the researchers proposed resilience and happiness among single parents.
Topic: happiness

This study focuses on single parents and is designed to know the relationship between resilience and happiness among single parents. This study also desires to recognize the extent of happiness and resilience of the single parents; therefore, in order to do that, the researchers formulated two hypotheses: (1) Ho: There is no significant correlation between happiness and resilience among single parents and (2) Ha: There is a significant correlation between happiness and resilience among single parents. Through these hypotheses, the researchers will be able to identify if there is a correlation between the two variables.
Topic: happiness

The researchers utilized two theories, namely Resilience Theory and Peak-end Theory, that will enable them to properly attain the data and to meet the objectives of the study. First and foremost, the Resilience Theory which is basically about the resiliency of individuals⁠—how they adapt to difficulties and how they overcome their struggles. With the help of this theory, the way single parents bounce back despite several challenges on their way will be discerned. Secondly, which is also the last theory, the Peak-end theory pertains to how people remember as well as attribute their experiences based on how they feel in a particular situation and how they interpret a specific event. Considering that emotions and feelings are able to embed in an individual’s perception, through this theory, the perspective-taking of single parents will be recognized, retaining a vital role in initiating happiness.
Topic: happiness

Happiness is an extremely difficult emotion for many people to feel and continue feeling. They can spend their entire lives chasing after a feeling that, overall, has no value in the end. Happiness has to do with satisfying one’s needs and obtaining what they want at all times. Once they get it, what happens? Although happiness and meaningfulness do correlate with each other, meaningfulness answers that “so what” question. Living a life filled with meaning helps develop one’s identity and provides an expression of the self.
Topic: happiness

They have been conditioned, since birth, that they are, not apart of, a community. It is all in the motto they live by, “Community. Identity. Stability.” (Huxley 1) Although identity is apart of this saying, it is meant to emphasize the fact that identity only exists within the community which, overall, creates stability. The government strips all individuality from the citizens to teach them that they are all the same, regarding each caste. We may think this is unbelievable because many of use are not used to this sort of society, but what we must realize is this makes the Brave New World inhabitants content, or happy.
Topic: happiness

This proverb translates to explain the importance of sexual relationships to the citizens. It describes how there is no relationship, besides the sexual relation, that means more to a citizen of the Brave New World. They are able to get anyone they want whenever they want because this is what they were conditioned to believe in and this is all they know. The concept of possessing no individuality and being forced into a community provides happiness to the inhabitants, but this is not meaningful. Roy F. Baumeister, a Professor of Psychology at Florida State University, expressed in his article, “If happiness is about getting what you want, it appears that meaningfulness is about doing things that express yourself.” This statement proves that through the conditioning and through Ford’s beliefs, the people of the Brave New World do not and can not live a meaningful life.
Topic: happiness

They are unaware of their ability to express emotions and understand other’s emotions since it was taken from them. Some inhabitants are conscious of their individuality which shows that human originality can be irreversible. But, what Huxley is trying to summarize in his book is that even when the citizens begin to realize they are a person, it will ultimately never succeed in a society that’s perspective of uniqueness and singularity are threatening and expendable. This notion of not being able to process an original thought and having to act a certain way to please people heightens the belief that pursuing a meaningful life and being an individual is something that our world should chase after.
Topic: happiness

Pursuing a life filled with meaning means expressing one’s feelings with emotions and allowing oneself to do so. Elaine Dundon, the founder of the Global Meaning Institute, wrote in her article, “Meaningfulness encourage us to go further; to transcend to a higher level by connecting not just within our thinking but also with our emotions…” In order to achieve awareness into what provides meaning, one must have the patience to consider their thoughts and think deeply about what is important to them. Acting fast and out of context is not allowing someone to realize the true meaning. In the Brave New World, when John began to whip the girl with intentional force, the citizens reacted unexpectedly. “Pain was a fascinating horror.” (Huxley 258) They burst out in laughter and continually asked for more because they had no idea what was really occurring. Due to the conditioning, they experienced as infants, and the sole purpose of the Brave New World, to make sure everyone no one had to worry, they acted as if someone was celebrating something when in reality a girl was being abused.
Topic: happiness

The citizens have never had to experience anything that would create unhappiness which supports the way they acted. With a meaningful life, experiencing pain and hardships is what creates a stronger individual. Bella DePaulo, Academic Affiliate in Psychological and Brain Sciences, explained in her article, “Meaningful involvements increase one’s stress, worries, arguments, and anxiety, which reduces happiness.” Because the citizens have not experienced any type of meaning, the incident they saw increased their happiness. It was amusing to them, they wanted more of it. Meaning does include pain and struggles, just like happiness, but it has a meaning in the end. It teaches somebody that life is not just filled with smiles and laughter, it also comes with sadness and anger. Being able to accept this and exhibit these emotions provide value to an individual’s life.