Meta-Analysis of Empirical Research about Life Satisfaction & Children Number in Different Countries

Document Type : Original Article

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Abstract

Basic beliefs of Iranian society gradually formed the impression that life means life without children or a maximum of one child smoothly. Is this popular belief in fact true? Is it really those who have fewer children than those who have more children or those who have never had children than those with children, are more satisfied? And feel more happiness? To answer these questions meta-analysis of 44 empirical research in different countries have. First, research is very diverse and can not be a general and absolute statement in this regard said. But the number of studies that show a negative relationship between children and life satisfaction, less. In studies that show negative or neutral, types of families, such as women who are considered illegitimate child. If only ordinary families (with parents and children) will be considered a positive relationship, even with the increasing number of children, life satisfaction is higher. The economic-social system and policies to support parents absolutely can affect the relationship between child and parent satisfaction with life. Some of these policies include policies to reduce the cost of children (such as free education, comprehensive health insurance and reduce the cost of maintenance), policies to increase income (such as child allowance to the employees' monthly income) and policies to spend time with their parents ( such as policies facilitating care, such as childbirth and breast-feeding vacations, job flexible system in terms of employment especially for women) noted.

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References

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