Having children does not make you happier
Parenthood is seen by society as a central part of a fulfilled and satisfied life. But do parents actually experience greater life satisfaction than people without children? Using “Life in Germany” survey data, researchers concluded that this question cannot be answered affirmatively, at least not for Germany. Reviewing developments over the entire life course of people with and without children shows that general life satisfaction, loneliness, and job satisfaction remain equally stable beyond middle age for both groups.
Thus, people without children do not feel lonelier than people with children. Overall, the mental health of people without children is more stable over the course of their lives. People with children experience stronger and more frequent short-term emotional upheavals, both negative and positive, especially during the child-rearing years.