- #1
Saint
- 438
- 0
What are the key factors to ensure a family is happy?
money?
health?
What else ?
money?
health?
What else ?
What Determines a Family's Happiness?
- Thread starter Saint
- Start date
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the factors that contribute to a family's happiness, exploring various perspectives on what elements are essential for fostering a joyful family environment. Participants consider aspects such as financial stability, health, interpersonal relationships, and cultural influences.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants suggest that money is not a necessary factor for happiness, citing personal experiences where happiness persisted despite financial struggles.
- Health issues are noted as a significant stressor on families, though some argue that happiness can still be found in challenging circumstances.
- There is a belief that the personality traits of family members, such as optimism and resilience, play a crucial role in overall family happiness.
- Interaction and quality time spent together are highlighted as key components for fostering closeness and understanding within the family.
- Respect among family members is proposed as essential for cohesion and positive relationships.
- One participant emphasizes the importance of individual happiness as a prerequisite for contributing to the happiness of others.
- Another perspective suggests that cultural attitudes towards family and respect for elders can influence family dynamics and happiness.
- Some participants express a desire to share personal family experiences and examples, indicating a more informal and anecdotal approach to the topic.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a variety of views on the factors influencing family happiness, with no clear consensus on a definitive formula. Multiple competing perspectives remain, particularly regarding the importance of financial stability, health, and interpersonal dynamics.
Contextual Notes
Some claims are based on personal anecdotes and subjective experiences, which may not universally apply. The discussion reflects a range of cultural contexts and individual family structures, indicating that factors influencing happiness may vary widely.
Who May Find This Useful
Individuals interested in family dynamics, psychology, cultural studies, and those seeking to understand diverse perspectives on happiness within family settings may find this discussion relevant.
- #2
selfAdjoint
Staff Emeritus
Gold Member
Dearly Missed
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Lots of testrimony that money isn't necessary. "We were poor but we didn't know it".
I think health problems are a stress on any family. You may want to be all good and kind and giving to the sick one, but it wears. But even here I know of cases where the people were happy.
I think the basic requirement is to start with happy type people. People who see the glass as half full, and who are strong enough to smile in adversity and rejoice in good times. I don't know if a happy couple can pass it down to their kids. Never any guarantees on the personalities of kids. But I've seen some good results (long term - everybody has an awkward age) among my friends.
My own family has not been so much happy as solid, loving, and strong.
I think health problems are a stress on any family. You may want to be all good and kind and giving to the sick one, but it wears. But even here I know of cases where the people were happy.
I think the basic requirement is to start with happy type people. People who see the glass as half full, and who are strong enough to smile in adversity and rejoice in good times. I don't know if a happy couple can pass it down to their kids. Never any guarantees on the personalities of kids. But I've seen some good results (long term - everybody has an awkward age) among my friends.
My own family has not been so much happy as solid, loving, and strong.
- #3
Dal
- 62
- 0
I’m not an expert. There are many factors to be considered but these are things most people ignored.
Guys - spend time with your wives and kids. Ladies - try to cherish your husbands. Get yourselves a pet or two in the family. Always try to understand and appreciate the differences.
Guys - spend time with your wives and kids. Ladies - try to cherish your husbands. Get yourselves a pet or two in the family. Always try to understand and appreciate the differences.
- #4
Zantra
- 794
- 3
I think there are many factors in a happy family, and that there isn't necessarily a fullproof formula. What works for one family might not work for another. It really depends on individual members of the family and how they interact.
One key factor is interaction. If a family spends a certain amount of "family time" together, weather it be around the dinner table, or an afternoon outting occasionally, Then they will be more involved in each other's lives and aware of what's going on with each other. Another key factor is respect. If the family members respect each other, then there is cohesion, and this brings about a sense of closeness and more interaction. Those are jut a couple of major factors involved I think.
One key factor is interaction. If a family spends a certain amount of "family time" together, weather it be around the dinner table, or an afternoon outting occasionally, Then they will be more involved in each other's lives and aware of what's going on with each other. Another key factor is respect. If the family members respect each other, then there is cohesion, and this brings about a sense of closeness and more interaction. Those are jut a couple of major factors involved I think.
- #5
RageSk8
- #6
megashawn
Science Advisor
- 450
- 0
^^LOL
Well, I figured out a few years ago, that in order to make anyone else happy, you must first be happy yourself.
And I think a lot of people fool themselves into thinking there happy, and later in life find out differently. Then things fall apart.
My family wasn't happy until it was split. I love my mom, and uhh, I pretty much forgot about that other fool.
Well, I figured out a few years ago, that in order to make anyone else happy, you must first be happy yourself.
And I think a lot of people fool themselves into thinking there happy, and later in life find out differently. Then things fall apart.
My family wasn't happy until it was split. I love my mom, and uhh, I pretty much forgot about that other fool.
- #7
arcnets
- 493
- 0
LOVE LOVE LOVE, all you need is LOVE.
- #8
Saint
- 438
- 0
http://www.angelfire.com/magic/yingbiaoling/lhsister.jpg
Last edited by a moderator:
- #9
Zantra
- 794
- 3
cute kids:D I'm assuming this is your family? 
So are you offering your family up as an example
Ok so which one is you?
I'm just waiting for the "disfunctional family" post so I can show off my family
Althought I'm all for progression, in one aspect I believe america could take a lesson from much of the rest of the world, and that is family. I've found that other cultures still have a great respect for family, and respect to their elders, and other such things. Whereas other cultures believe in caring for their family relatives, and see it as a duty, or part of life, americans don't do that. A great deal of young adults in america will finish school, find a job and move away from home. Some do care for their elderly parents, but it's the exception nowadays rather than the rule.
So are you offering your family up as an exampleOk so which one is you? I'm just waiting for the "disfunctional family" post so I can show off my family
Althought I'm all for progression, in one aspect I believe america could take a lesson from much of the rest of the world, and that is family. I've found that other cultures still have a great respect for family, and respect to their elders, and other such things. Whereas other cultures believe in caring for their family relatives, and see it as a duty, or part of life, americans don't do that. A great deal of young adults in america will finish school, find a job and move away from home. Some do care for their elderly parents, but it's the exception nowadays rather than the rule.
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- #10
Saint
- 438
- 0
I am the one who held an "angpow" with my new born baby. Besides me is my sister with her kids.
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- #11
Zantra
- 794
- 3
Congratulations on the new baby
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