It helps if you actually read details of the study before commenting on
it:
"The Paradox of Declining Female Happiness", page 14:
"Trends in happiness among blacks are examined in columns one and two.
These data show that happiness has trended quite strongly upward for
both female and male African-Americans, erasing about two-thirds of the
large racial differences in subjective well-being that were evident in
the early 1970s (Stevenson and Wolfers, 2008b)."
I do not need to read the details of the study.I tend to be skeptical when
white
reaearchers pontificate about the black condition.In the 1970s conditions
for blacks in the U.S
were still in the struggle phase for equity but were manageable.Black women
have always have a sense of well being about themselves.Black males have had
major problems to overcome
especially in the 1960-1970s.The upward trend in the so called happiness
index(as devised by white researchers) now is not surprising because many
factors have contributed to a sense of efficacy and competence in addition
to dimensions of black culture such as strength in struggle,spirritual
orientation and so on. Are you aware that black women are more satisfied
with their body image than white women? White women are always talking about
losing weight.
I suspect that white researchers throw in a few blacks in the sample or may
even utilize some black researchers to show some degree of objectivity,but
the variables may be interpreted differently. I contend that this study is
more about white women now.
Hope this helps.As previously stated I am not opposed to studies like this
as long they
stay within the parameters of the subject variables.I woild even venture to
say that "suspiciousness of experimenter's intent" is a varuable that should
be considered.A white researcher may get a different answer from a black
person than if that experimenter was black.
Hope this helps.
Michael "omnicentric"Sylvester,PhD
Daytona Beach,Florida
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