There is No Such Thing as a Free Smile, Essay Example

Recent research has often incorrectly inferred that data borrowing a bit here and a bunch there can provide an accurate picture of the relationship between income and happiness and has even been so bold as to say that worldly goods decrease satisfaction. In addition, the majority of religious propaganda has credited materialism and affluence with all manner of evils. However, with the dawn of globalization has come the realization that even the synchronistically-minded collectivist countries are not as happy as North Americans had assumed they were.

Despite the discouragement of the prevailing research at the time, higher education strove for progress, creating a large gap between the lifetime earning potential fostered by different levels of education. This gap far outweighs the average debt of college graduates, but money is necessary nonetheless to the realization of the higher earning potential. In addition, several less commonly-acknowledged benefits of higher education, such as citizenship, improved cognition and communication, social connections, and a propensity for lifelong learning, self-education, and independence, are often not considered in discussions of the benefits of higher education (Jallade 1-2). These benefits are dependent upon the college experience, which is, in turn, dependent upon funding.

Borooah’s 2006 article concluded that three primary factors determined the citizens’ level of happiness and satisfaction: standard of living (predominantly determined by income), mental health, and freedom from financial indebtedness and worry. All three are dependent upon financial security. Similarly, access to technologies is determined by pecuniary affluence. In South Africa in 2003, the perceived quality of life depended greatly upon receiving the highest level of health and other technological access- rather than receiving services that were notably better than that which they already possessed (Møller & Devey). With the increase of income, dissatisfaction only increased where competition was fostered and encouraged; Borooah (2006) stated that “satisfaction with one’s [standard of living] depends partly on a comparison with the [standard of living] of others” (459). In South Africa, “with popular aspirations… can be no doubt that the advent of democracy…and… promises of a better life for ordinary people have raised expectations” (Møller & Devey, 2003, 458). Thus, competition and larger-than-life expectations- and not an increased income- are responsible for the spread of dissatisfaction.

As we mentioned earlier, many well-meaning studies asserted that an increased income was negative correlated with the personal level of happiness. Fischer (2007) demonstrates the inaccuracy of previous research on the grounds that it did not realistically account for income or the possible effects of other factors. The studies drew from estimates gauging the Gross Domestic Product of America, which does not represent the full earning power of the United States, nor does it give an accurate accounting of class categorical distinctions along financial lines. Fischer questions the exclusion of dramatic life forces, such as stress, mental health, and relationship status, in the estimation of happiness levels, as well as the validity of the methodology used to calculate the numerical data.

The best things in life may not be free, but the good judgment to use resources wisely is. The promise of a better tomorrow, which for the South Africans was promised as part of the “efforts to provide a quick fix to the country’s development”, often overwhelms the appreciation of the achievements of the present (Møller & Devey, 2003, 458). As most religions discourage ownership in favor of selflessness, welfare, and human services to others, belief systems cannot be said to be entirely separable from the measured effects of happiness. Religion has proved to be a weighty consideration in that regard. In short, there are far too many factors to support the conclusion that money does not purchase happiness. On the contrary, the multiple “invisible” benefits accompanying the typical costs of education and the competition of some and loose-lipped promises of others have marginalized income, which has proven to be the only stable indicator of reaching the high expectations and competition for which people the world over reach.

Works Cited

Borooah, Vani K. “What Makes People Happy? Some Evidence from Northern Ireland.” Journal of Happiness Studies 7.4 (2006): 427-465. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 24 Sept. 2010.

Fischer, Claude S. “What wealth-happiness paradox? A short note on the American case.” Journal of Happiness Studies 9.2 (2008): 219-226. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 26 Sept. 2010.

Jallade, Jean-Pierre. “Editorial.” European Journal of Education Mar. 2005: 1+. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 23 Sept. 2010.

Møller, Valerie, and Richard Devey. “Trends in living conditions and satisfaction among poorer older South Africans: objective indicators of quality of life in the October Household Survey.” Development Southern Africa 20.4 (2003): 457-476. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 25 Sept. 2010.