First Draft----Iris

topic: Can money buy happiness?

Introduction:

The pursuit of happiness is an everlasting human endeavor in all societies. Whether money can buy happiness or not is a controversial issue triggering a heated discussion. Some people say that money could bring us a lot, particularly because we are now in the world with greater material wealth. Therefore, they hold that material possession is very helpful in bringing us happiness because money can cover your physical needs, improve your life standard. As well, with money , you may own a high social status. That’s the very reason why the accumulation of wealth becomes the single most important goal in many people’s lives. However, the other people hold that only contribution can bring you large happiness rather than acquisition. They firmly believe that only contribution, helping others, achieving dreams and sharing with friends can bring you large happiness. According to survey, money can affect people to some extent. Research shows that income has a positive relationship with happiness, although it is not straight line. ( Christopher Peterson, 2008). This essay would be divided into three parts. Firstly, it will discuss what money could bring, then analyze the relationship between money and happiness. After that, it will move on to another part to explore the source of happiness. At last I would reach my conclusion.

What money could bring us?

Ever since the invention of currency, humans have been both enjoying economic benefits and the delight of shopping. First of all, it is undeniable that earning more money ensures higher standards of living. Typically, rapid economic development has allowed a greater variety of commodities to be produced, displayed and sold. The various kinds of goods stimulate people’s eyeball. Many people feel an impulse to go shopping, especially online stores no matter when they are in good or bad mood. People use money to exchange the goods, not only just to cover daily life’s needs, but also live as a popular leisure activity. For instance, people planning to buy food in the supermarket may instead bring home clothes and many other things that they like rather than they need. It is hard to resist the temptation of the advertisement everywhere. People are attracted by new functions and new style displayed from the advertisement. There are some tempting logans to make people not thinking when making decisions, such as : come on, buy it , just small money you can own it, then you can live in the new life style. It seems to imply that if you own the goods, then your life would be changed. Such a promotion are used particularly in electronic markets such as mobile phones, MP3 and computers , due to their amazing speed of updating. At the beginning , the function of mobile phone is limited to telecommunication. Step by step , phone carry more and more other functions like text messaging, palying music , playing game. . The updates of products improve your image, therefore , people pursue the new goods ,such as new phones. People tend to pursue the latest versions , especially young people. The more money you earn , the more you could afford. Due to this reason, earning more and more money becoming people’s single goal in their life.

What is the relationship between money and happiness?

Why cannot people stop shopping? It is no doubt that shopping could bring them happiness. However, happiness is just brief pleasure, which could not last for long time. This is especially evident in the shift of the role that women play in the modern society. No longer satisfied with the traditional responsibilities of housewives, many females have entered the workforce by taking a full-time job. Thus , with high and double income, the couple could afford an expensive house and all the luxuries they desire , such as a splendid racing car and LV. However, even if they get more, happiness would not always accumulate. Comparing to their parents , they didn’t get more happiness although they own more than their parents. According to the research, money definitely could bring happiness in some extent. Along with the salary increase , the happiness go up. Your nerve system is stimulated, then you feel pleasure, but this could not always work. There exists some related coefficient between money and happiness. (Christopher Peterson, 2008). For example , some millionaires posses huge wealth ,however, they are still not happy. Some of them even suffer from depression. Sometimes, money is straining interpersonal relationship and even causing tragedies . It is not news that we often hear that one guy won the lottery, but just one or two years later, he was sent to the jail. Due to the sudden huge wealth, he cannot control himself,. Then he started to gamble, excessively drink, and even take drugs. Money did not bring happiness to him. Instead money brings him disaster. In China, the anti-rich backlash is becoming more and more popular. Obviously, some of the rich men are becoming the target of jealousy. Therefore, they are not happy because they are always worrying about their personal safety.

What is the source of happiness?

If the money could not bring the lasting happiness, what was the source of happiness? What is the real happiness? Some people hold that through helping others and contributing to the whole society, you would get the peace of mind, and then you can own the lasting happiness. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, people have different needs in their mind. At the bottom, it is basic needs like food, clothing and shelter, which are essential for people to survive. It is not doubt that money could meet these needs. However, people also need love, safety and belonging . Money could not necessarily buy these things. Only through personal efforts, you can obtain confidence, self-esteem and self-actualization. This is the source of happiness.


Conclusion:

Based on the discussion above, we know that money is important. Without money, it is hard to live. As well, due to the gap of rich and poor, lacking of money would make people feel of the lower society status and probably feel depressed. However, it is not the true essence of happiness. The source of happiness lies in becoming more and more confident, trying best to achieve goals , and helping other people. From my point of view, the key factor of happiness is through personal efforts to obtain your goal, to own a spirit of philanthropy, and try your best to help each other. This is the true source of true happiness, which would be lasting for long time.



References:
1. David Futrelle (2006) Can money buy happiness ? CNN. Money
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/2006/08/01/8382225/index.htm
2. http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/04/12/trading-happiness-for-money-a-bad-bargain/
3. Christopher Peterson (2008). Money and happiness, The good life positive psychology and what make life worth living. (June 6, 2008)