Article: Social Inequalities in Happiness in the United States, 1972-2004: An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis. American Sociological Review, 2008 (73: 2)
Summary:
As Americans age, are they happier in their golden years? In short, Yang Yang (ASR April 2008) argues that, for most, with age comes happiness, but in varying amounts depending who you are.
Following a very shallow upside-down “U” curve, American find they happier as they age, peaking in their late fifties and finally declining in their late seventies. However, specific cohorts were found to be less likely to enjoy the the benefits of maturity. Notably, “baby boomers” experienced less happiness, which may be caused by the formative experience of growing up during a high population era. Increased competition in school and the labor market may have had a lasting impact on this group.
Other than cohort, privilege was also found to be important in determining happiness. While privilege in the forms of wealth, education, gender, and race, give some people a heads up throughout much of the life course, as people grow older, these benefits equalize. The economic advantage is washed away as previous social welfare benefits such as health care are the same for everyone. Elders must also negotiate similar life events such as the death of loved ones and a breaking down of social support, ironing out any significant differences.
Yang’s findings give us something to think about as our hair grays and our pace slows — carpe diem.