It has long been debated whether money can buy happiness. Since money is a big part of our lives, people have different opinions about this question.
Two grade 12 students shared their thoughts on the subject. Iris Ryu said that money can buy happiness because if you have money, you can buy what you want, and that makes you happy. She also said that money gives you a sense of security and comfort.
On the other hand, Ai Hiruma had a different opinion. She said it depends on the type of happiness. Money can buy things and experiences, but it cannot buy love or real relationships. This shows that people see happiness in different ways.
According to Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Conman and economist Angus Deaton, there is a relationship between income and happiness. As income increases, happiness also increases, but only up to a certain point. Their research shows that happiness levels off around $75,000 per year. Also, it is not just about how much money you have, but how you use it. For example, spending money on experiences or on other people can make you feel happier.
At the same time, research from the American Psychological Association shows that even very rich people are not always happy. Money can make life easier, but it can also create new problems. Some people feel stressed about relationships or feel isolated. Others worry that people only like them because of their money. Also, having too many choices can sometimes make life more confusing instead of better.
In my opinion, money can give short-term happiness, but not long-term happiness. For example, when you buy something you want, you feel happy, but that feeling does not last very long. Real happiness comes from things like relationships, personal growth, and meaningful experiences, which money cannot fully buy.
In conclusion, money can affect happiness, but it is not everything. It can increase happiness to a certain extent, but it cannot create long-term happiness by itself. From both interviews and research, it is clear that true happiness comes from many different factors, not just money.