We've Come A Long Way, Maybe?

Today I am shedding some "lyte" on happiness, specifically, women's happiness. Two longitudinal studies have shown that women's rates of happiness have been declining. These studies show that over the past 40 years, women have been growing increasingly unhappy. And this trend crosses ethnicity, religious, political, and geographical boundaries. Women everywhere are unhappier. No surprise, men have grown happier.

Why the disparity? Haven't we seen enormous gains for women in the workplace, in politics, and in the classroom? Just last year we witnessed a woman come closer to the presidency than ever before. What's wrong with us? Can't we just lighten up?

No. Men are simple creatures. Give them more money and they are happier. Women are much more complex. We want more than just material gain. And despite all the strides that have been made, the world is still a very hostile place to be female.

We still have not achieved wage parity. True, our earnings versus men rose a little this year, but that is due more to the current economy where men are taking the bigger hit. We still are not safe. Our biggest predator is the men we live with. They hit us, cut us, rape us, and kill us in astounding numbers. We still are held to a unobtainable standard of beauty. We are told that as we age, we lose. When men age, they gain.

We still make up the majority of the ranks of the world's poor. We still see countries where being born female is viewed as a tragedy. Our bodies are still treated as possessions. Our appearance is subject to speculation and debasement. Did anyone bash President Obama for wearing pants suits during the campaign?

What do women want? Security for starters. It would be nice to be safe. A man's biggest fear is humiliation, a women's is murder. Changing that paradigm would make us all happier. How about some more money? When money is given to women, everyone benefits. When money is given to men, they benefit. And how about some property? Instead being considered a possession, how about we get to possess? Equal access to education would make us all more cheerful as well.

I am not surprised that women are unhappier. We pay attention and there is alot to be unhappy about. The question shouldn't be why, but what. As is, what are going to do about it?