The World Happiness Report released earlier this year shows that young Americans ranked 62nd happiest compared with their peers in 142 other countries, while older Americans ranked tenth happiness. In an interview with j-s online about these findings, Christine Whelan, a clinical professor at the UW, said, “”It became more and more clear to me and many others that searching for happiness was not going to increase our well-being, but rather our quest for purpose and meaning and a life of thriving is what we’re really after.”
The current happiness findings are certainly concerning. Our youth have been sold a tragic bill of goods that stuff and pleasure are what bring happiness. Whelen is on the right track. Today’s young people need to know the truth—that they are human beings with inherent worth, that God has a purpose for their lives, that knowing that purpose gives meaning and allows for thriving.
