In recent years, global research has revealed a troubling trend: the present and even the next generations remain less happy and less satisfied with the quality and context of their lives as compared with earlier generations. This has raised interesting debate among psychologists, sociologists and policy makers who are in an attempt to explain why this gap in the rate of happiness is widening.
This modern generation burdensome mental sickness, social stress, and economic shortcomings stand in the juxtaposition with the reported satisfaction of the elderly. In this article, the various causes that lead to this problem will be discussed as well as various measures that can be taken to solve the problem.
The Global Happiness Divide
In essence, happiness is complex construct that is shaped by the interaction of different variables cutting across individual personality, relationship circle and culture. As the World Happiness Report and other studies have it, the young people, young adults especially of age between late teens and early thirty, are more prone to stress, anxiety, and even depression than those who are older.
Whereas previous generations say that some of the happiest years are those in the later stages of one’s life, they are challenges plaguing younger and middle-aged people that question their quality of life and faculties.
Possible Reasons for Decreasing Well-Being in the Newest Generations
Economic Pressures
The most critical driver of youth unhappiness is poverty since the show is about what make young people happiest, all these elements of distress contribute to the unhappiness of the young people.
While the previous generations of young people had stable employment opportunities and relatively low housing prices in combination with affordable education, the situation in the present is quite different. The operation of independent contractors is flexible, but it does not
consist of stable wages and allowances, as it used to be in common employment. Such conditions bring stress and anxiety to people every day, and youth cannot imagine a stable living in the near future.
THE EFFECTS OF NEW MEDIA: Social Media and Digital Overload
It is also widely agreed that social media has also brought benefits on issues to do with mental health and happiness. Despite these tools helping people to find others and feel they are not alone, it causes people to compare themselves and feel worthless. Young people are enabled to constantly see curated lifestyles and material success – they feel they fail if they cannot achieve that.
Furthermore, correlated with that, the patients suffer from such consequences of increased screen time as sleep disorders, the lack of exercise, and poor socialization.
Mental Health Challenges
The themes of contemporary youth mental health problems are the most critical and alarming: anxiety and depression. Conditions such as academic pressure, workplace stress and social isolation are particularly important factors that worsen these diseases.
The society has better perception towards mental health and this made most of them to seek for help. Nevertheless, the opportunity to obtain affordable and effective treatments for mental disorders is still limited.
Climate Anxiety
The present study includes different subscales to measure climate anxiety that older people are less likely to develop than younger ones. To the generation that was waiting for the long-term-impact of the thrown-away environment, it implies a deeper sense of responsibility and powerlessness
Social Changes and Roles Signed on Society
Again, today people’s achievements, which were previously determining the happiness, like marriage, owning a house, and a steady job, have changed.
The current growing generation realizes that these achievements can only be done in their later years or not at all, yet society’s norms dictate that a person should be productive from the time they are young. Thirdly, we have competitive pressure
In the modern society as well as being forced to succeed in whatever task they undertake also reduces the overall levels of happiness.
Older People’s Attitude
However, older people indicate higher level of satisfaction and functioning in old age than any of other generations. Several factors contribute to this phenomenon:
Life Experience and Resilience:
People who have faced different difficulties before are usually more resilient and have different view on the troubles which they face.
Stronger Social Ties:
It is generally agreed that elderly individuals possess many advantages, one of these being maintained affiliations with friends and relatives due to whom they are not lonely.
Financial Stability:
Most elderly people have pension, savings, and houses through which they get a secure feeling without financial worry.
Lower Expectations:
There are fewer social expectations and often, the elderly being not as productive members of society anymore, there are fewer sources of stress and there is much more emphasis on ‘enjoying the simple things in life’.
Of the various factors that remain relevant in different cultures and regions, this paper will focus on Cultural and Regional Differences.
Point to reiterate here is that happiness levels may differ with cultural or geographical location. In some societies, the young people may lead happier lives more so because of the community values, culture or family. On the other hand in collectivistic cultures with emphasis on groups, individuals and personal achievements and success heighten the feelings of loneliness apart from being a norm.
How can the Gap between the Happy and the Unhappy Be Closed?
To reduce the gap in happiness between the younger and older generation there must be a multi-pronged approach.
 Raising Awareness of Mental Health Disease and Treatment
Authorities of states, as well as institutions, should enhance the availability and demand of mental health by increasing financing on services and decrease hindrances. Parents, relatives, friends and community members can also engage themselves in helping those affected schools; colleges and workplaces should provide counseling and helping atmosphere.
Towards restructuring Education and Employment Systems
Society should redesign educational systems to cut stress that is not needed in the life of learners and equip them to face present day organizations. Likewise, employment practices should aim at being more affirmative, stable, adequate wages and possible chance in employee occupation.
 Encouraging Digital Wellness
Encoder the healthy use of social media and helping the young people to learn what they should avoid regarding social media to help improve. Promoting people’s live communication and shortening their time spent on gadgets are key measures towards improving relationships.
End Note:
Modern youth is less happy compared to the earlier generation and it is multi factorial.In origin and involves various social, economic, and cultural contexts. Although the current world’s challenges are more complex, especially for the youth, information on these factors is the first step toward solving them.
If I give meaning to the terms presented above as follows, then the happiness gap may be closed through the following ways: However, the families, and communal support systems can take an ever-important role in promoting the well-being of all age populations.
In conclusion, happiness is process which involves constant changes and depends on interpersonal and intrapersonal decision, social environment and condition on the international level. If each generation will join hands and be compassionate, then every generation can have reason to live a happy life.
