Comment on Kids with conservative parents are happier

• PeepinGoodArgs@reddthat.com ⁨5⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  For once, I genuinely learned something useful here. The research call it the conservative-liberal happiness gap or the ideological happiness grap, and it’s…it’s true. It exists and is well-documented.

  Obvious question is why?

  This has rabbit hole potential…

  source

  • wintermute_oregon@lemm.ee ⁨5⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    Obvious question is why?

    I explained why but let’s not take my word for it. Let’s look at the research.

    realclearscience.com/…/why_are_conservatives_happ…!

    To paraphrase, conservatives are less concerned with equality of outcomes and more with equality of opportunity. While American liberals are depressed by inequalities in society, conservatives are okay with them provided that everyone has roughly the same opportunities to succeed. The latter is a more rosy and empowering view than the deterministic former.

    They found that conservatives “expressed greater personal agency, more positive outlook, more transcendent moral beliefs, and a generalized belief in fairness” compared to liberals.

    Conservatives are more satisfied with their lives, in general… report better mental health and fewer mental and emotional problems (all after controlling for age, sex, income, and education), and view social justice in ways that are consistent with binding moral foundations, such as by emphasizing personal agency and equity.

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    • PeepinGoodArgs@reddthat.com ⁨5⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      let’s not take my word for it

      This is my default position. I will never take anyone’s word if I can understand something myself.

      Yeah, I found the research that tried to tease out the causes. I think this paper was the best one I read. Section 6.6. Evaluative connotations was probably the best out of the paper:

      According to philosophers of science, meaning is never found directly in the data; meaning is provided by interpreting the data from specific theoretical perspectives. Different perspectives can imply different evaluative connotations.

      So the bits you quoted from realclearscience.com, from another perspective, could support the idea that conservatives are delusional in their belief that everyone has roughly the same opportunities to succeed. Perceived social mobility has declined after all, so, the idea that their happiness derives from the view that inequality doesn’t matter would then be false, i.e., delusional.

      I’m not trying to make that argument, mind you. I’m just saying these studies that say conservatives are happier still seem suspect to me fundamentally even though I must admit their conclusions. I don’t think they’re wrong, per se…just…not objective? universal? right? idk.

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      • wintermute_oregon@lemm.ee ⁨5⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

        another perspective, could support the idea that conservatives are delusional in their belief that everyone has roughly the same opportunities to succeed

        For the most part, we do. That’s why so many people flock here from other countries. I grew up poor, I joined the national guard, paid for my undergraduate, graduate degree, they paid for most my medical school. Between the national guard and army, I came out owing next to nothing from college. I went into technology and made even more money. I worked at a swat doctor to supplement my income. The opportunities are there if you are willing to work hard and a reasonably intelligent. Now yes the wealthy may have it easier but anyone can come wealthy if they just do something of value and expand on something. Liberals want the government to hand them success. Conservatives want the chance to build their success

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