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From a Young Teen‟s Perspective: Income and the Happiness of Canadian 12 to 15 Year-Olds

Author

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  • Peter Burton
  • Shelley Phipps

    (Department of Economics, Dalhousie University)

Abstract

Much recent work by economists has studied the association between income and happiness for adults; children and youth have received considerably less attention in the economics „happiness‟ literature. The Statistics Canada National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) asks 12 to 15 year old children to assess their own happiness, while mothers report income and most basic demographic information. We use these data to conduct a multivariate analysis of the association between income and happiness from a young teen‟s perspective. We find positive associations between family income and young teen happiness, especially when we use a long- run average measure of family income. However, quantitatively, income is not nearly as important as family structure, teen‟s age and health status, or parental well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Burton & Shelley Phipps, 2010. "From a Young Teen‟s Perspective: Income and the Happiness of Canadian 12 to 15 Year-Olds," Working Papers daleconwp2010-10, Dalhousie University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:dal:wpaper:daleconwp2010-10
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Peter Burton & Shelley Phipps, 2010. "The Well-Being of Immigrant Children and Parents in Canada," Working Papers daleconwp2010-09, Dalhousie University, Department of Economics.

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