2025-05-01
34 分钟Pushkin What makes some people happier than others?
What allows some people to radiate joy, even in the face of adversity,
while other people can't feel satisfied even in the best of circumstances?
Well, like most human traits, happiness is a very complex combination of nature and nurture.
At least some of the variants we see in people's well-being is due to their genes.
but a lot of it is also due to environmental factors.
And few environmental factors, especially early on, are as powerful as a person's parents.
From the way a parent responds to a child's big emotions to the values they model in daily life,
caregivers can have a lasting impact on a child's happiness,
shaping the way children handle stress, how they form attachments,
and the mindsets they bring to tough problems.
If you're a parent yourself, you're probably very aware of this fact.
and very worried about it.
It's kind of terrifying to feel like every little choice you make has the potential to either empower your child or set them up for a lifetime of expensive therapy.
That kind of pressure has always been there for parents.
But these days, things feel even more fraught.
In addition to the usual stresses,
moms and dads today need to figure out how to navigate screen time,
how to help their kids stay safe online,
how to protect their families from the loneliness and mental health crises currently plaguing so many people.