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Family is Key to Happiness, NOT Money and Sex Says New Survey of Youth

By Elizabeth O'Brien

NEW YORK, August 20, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A recent survey indicates that young people view human relationships, most especially family ties, as the greatest cause of happiness in life, ABC News reports.

The survey, which was conducted by Knowledge Networks Inc. for the Associated Press and MTV, took place from April 16 to 23 and interviewed 1,280 people between the ages of 13 and 24. Using online interviews, the survey asked over 100 questions relating to the nature of happiness for American young people.

Participants were asked an open-ended question about what gives happiness, and the hands-down winning answer (given by 20% of young people) was "spending time with family." In fact a total of 73% said that their relationship with their parents makes them happy. This coincides with another question which found that 64% of 13 to 17 year olds whose parents are still together wake up happy in the morning. This is nearly 20% higher than the children of divorces.

Referring to her family, 17-year old high school student Kristiana St. John stated, "They're my foundation. My mom tells me that even if I do something stupid, she's still going to love me no matter what. Just knowing that makes me feel very happy and blessed."

The second most popular answer to the open-ended happiness question was "spending time with friends" followed by "spending time with a significant other." A total of 92% said that they definitely or possibly wanted to get married, and most wanted to have children as well.

The survey found, however, that being sexually active generally causes unhappiness in 13 to 17 year olds.  Even between the ages of 18 and 24, sex may lead to temporary happiness but generally causes unhappiness.

When asked about faith, 55% percent said that religion is either "a very important part of life" or the "single most important thing" in life. People who have a religion or some kind of spirituality tend to be happier as well.

Those who come from a wealthier home are usually happier. Nevertheless, when asked the opened ended question about what causes happiness, almost no one mentioned money. Young people were equally split about whether money would make them happier -49% said yes and 49% said no.

Finally, when asked who their hero was, 10% stated "God", 5% mentioned a teacher, but nearly 50% said one or both of their parents. Of these, the top winner was "Mom".

Read related LifeSiteNews report:

Massive Survey of Mothers Finds Marriage Makes for Wealth and Happiness http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/may/05050502.html

Read more extensive ABC News reports:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/WireStory?id=3499089&page=1

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