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Maybe Money Can Buy Happiness

If money makes the world go round, what happens if we run out?



At this point in time, this point of climate crises and economic crashes and the seemingly endless battle for equality, it is understandable that younger generations are more worried than ever about the future. We want to know that we can get a stable income, and buy our own homes one day, and support our future children, but we barely even know if the planet will be sustained long enough for these issues to become relevant. Without sounding too dramatic, it does often feel like we’re on the verge of some form of apocalypse, with no-one doing quite enough about it.


There are, of course, some methods in place to try and save the planet and our futures. The government offers a Help To Buy scheme, for example, which aims to help young people save money for a house – but then you’ve got to be earning enough money to be able to afford to save some. In terms of the planet, we are finding more ways to use recyclable materials and reusable energy, which is a great step forward – but will it be enough?


"Poverty can increase the risk of mental health problems, and poor mental health can lead people into poverty." Mental Health Foundation


Money and Mental Health


The effect that the state of the world and the current financial crisis has on young people’s mental health is getting worse by the year. In a study from August 2022, it was found that 80% of people aged 20-25 were often worried about earning enough money, and even 21% of 11-year-olds said money had caused them stress. No 11-year-old child should be worried about money. Unfortunately, the economy is out of the control of normal people, so we face a battle with mental health due to the stress of money issues, creating this vicious circle: poverty can increase the risk of mental health problems, and poor mental health can lead people into poverty. Of course, treatments like counselling to help manage these mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, can be inaccessible to a lot of people due to its expense. For many of us, there’s nothing we can do but hope the world and the economy improve, so we can let go of a little stress and have faith that our futures will be alright.



Are Children Our Future?


Another pressure that weighs on a lot of young people is the question: should I have children? As a society, we always say that children are the future. But when the future is so uncertain, we worry if our children would be okay, if we would be able to support them enough if everything is unstable. We need to know that there will be enough housing in the future, accessible healthcare, good education, and a healthy environment to live in – we don’t want our children to suffer, if the world isn’t such a good place. As of May 2022, 90% of people living with a dependent child aged 0-4 were very worried about the rising costs of living, and this problem and worry will only increase with time. How can we know where to find stability in the future, when there is so little now?


Money can buy stability, and safety, if we have enough of it. In this current state, that means money can buy happiness, and it is a privilege to disagree.


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