Stay-at-home mothers ‘have the most worthwhile lives’
This article, based upon ‘Personal Well-being in the UK 2003-2014 Index’, is bound to lead to discussion and debate on parenting websites. The Index, published by ONS suggests mothers who put their career aside to care for their children have a stronger sense that their lives are “worthwhile” compared to the rest of society. The findings are based upon data from the Annual Population Survey which includes responses from 165,000 people on four questions: (i) how satisfied are you with your life nowadays? (ii) To what extent do you feel the things you do in your life are worthwhile? (iii) How happy did you feel yesterday? And (iv) how anxious did you feel yesterday? In 2013-2014, the average ratings for each of the four measures of personal well-being were: 7.5 points out of 10 for life satisfaction (up 0.06 points on the previous year); 7.7 out of 10 for feeling that what one does in life is worthwhile (up 0.05 points on the previous year); 7.4 out of 10 for happiness yesterday (up 0.09 points on the previous year); and 2.9 out of 10 for anxiety yesterday (down 0.10 points on the previous year). The figures also confirm that Northern Ireland is the happiest place in the UK topping the national league tables both on a regional and local level – with Babergh in Suffolk the only place in mainland Britain making it into the top five. ONS has produced an interactive map where you can explore personal well-being estimates for your local area.