Work vs. Family? Sociological Perspectives on Increasing Happiness

On April 24th, Institute Social hosted, Prof. W. Bradford Wilcox, a leading expert in family structures, marriage and individual happiness, for a webinar in its Global Reflections series. Wilcox, who also serves as the director of the National Marriage Project, shared his research findings in his talk titled “Work vs. Family: Sociological Perspectives on Increasing Happiness.” He argued that in modern societies, happiness is not solely linked to individual success and material wealth, but is also closely connected to strong family relationships.

According to Wilcox, marriage alone does not necessarily increase happiness. The key factor is the quality of the marriage. Many young individuals, who are concerned about the question, “Will I have a happy marriage?” tend to delay marriage and prioritize their careers instead. In fact, studies have shown that 86% of young adults view having a job as “very important” for satisfaction in their lives, while only 36% consider marriage and 32% regard having children as equally important. These findings highlight the growing prevalence of the “Midas mindset” among younger generations in the U.S. Then “Midas Mindset” symbolizes a life focused on success, personal development, and material wealth. 

Another notable topic discussed during the talk was the rising religious devotion among young men in US society, which has led to an increase in marriage rates.  Wilcox also outlined three key pillars of a happy marriage: spending time together, having a strong sense of commitment to one another, and a sense of belonging to a community. These elements not only enhance individual well-being but also foster solidarity within society.

Throughout the webinar, the relationship between family life, career goals, and happiness was explored in-depth, with insights drawn from recent data.