Boaz,
There would probably be advantages and disadvantages to most things.

In terms of work and family, someone could do the following:-
A/ accentuate the advantages of family life
B/ accentuate the disadvantages of family life
C/ accentuate the advantages of work life
D/ accentuate the disadvantages of work life

It would be true to say that ideologies such as Marxism, Communism, and Feminism have been largely involved in B and C. These ideologies have normally claimed that “work”, (or the “state”), is better than “family”, and in the case of Feminism, it has been heavily involved in demeaning males, fathers, children, marriage etc.

However what Marxism, Communism, Feminism etc have been trying to do, is somehow reverse the “Happiness” chart. That chart would be more of a natural chart, so trying to do the opposite to what is indicated on that chart, would be highly unlikely to bring about increased Happiness.

But with the growing number of people living in single person households, (ie people who spend so much of their life just commuting, working, and living by themselves) our society is becoming more Marxist, Communist, and Feminist than we realise, although it is highly unlikely to bring increased Happiness.

Also interesting is that “Pray/Worship/Meditate” was rated quite highly in the Happiness chart. I would have thought that going to the fridge, or turning on the TV would bring instant happiness.

Rainer,
There have been many despots, and it probably doesn’t matter if that despot is male or female. (See 100 things someone could do if they became an evil overlord. http://www.azzit.de/humor/123.html)

What would be more important than gender, are the policies and principles of that person. So that is why I don’t vote for someone just because they are male or female.

Tim
if people were really honest, specially the female population, I think many would admit that they had swallowed the 'line/lie' fed to them which made them think that happiness was found in all the areas that reaseach shows they wont, and that many, in those single person, single parent households probably cry themselves to sleep at night just wishing for someone to hold them, trying to come to terms with the contradictory reality they face and the lingering voices of Marxism/Feminism in their heads.

Prayer and meditation.
For me, prayer is about relationship. Meditation is when we focus on some idea or object for our edification. Prayer is to a 'person'.

I spent 4 yrs seeking to build up and equip a white ant infested, recording studio for indigenous broadcasting, and by 4 yrs it was clear that unless something dramatic happened it would be the same after another 4 yrs. We analysed our situation, prayed, and committed it to the Lord. I went to Singapore to visit some supporting churches and found myself on a cold concrete floor, no bed, no company, just a slab. (in the house church) I was feeling pretty down and miserable, but had an assurance in my heart. Then the phone rang and the guy from that church told me 'Money is no object, just tell me what you need and we will fix it up'. He did, around $12,000 worth of studio stuff.. gratus. Never has a slab of concrete seemed more like a bed of roses :) There is more to that story, but bottom line, we had our answer 'filled and overflowing'.

We sent tapes up rivers in local languages to many many villages, who then tuned in to our radio broadcasts.(from Manila)

http://www.necf.org.my/berita/berita_nov_dec1999/prayerwave.htm

I know some of the people mentioned in this article. Dr Chew Weng Chee gave us $10,000 towards the work, after hearing a 10 yr old indigenous girl sing . (she moved me to tears when I first heard her too) Anyi Wan is an indigenous person. Note the last line of that article.

Boaz,
I would agree that “Pray/Worship/Meditate “ would be important for people’s happiness. It has been practised for so long throughout history, that it is most likely an essential part of the human psyche.

The Happiness Chart shows “Intimate relations” as bringing most happiness to women, and I did have to wonder at this article relating that women in the UK are turning to IVF because they did not have enough time for sex, and were including times in their diaries when they were available and could have sex
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/its-hard-to-conceive/2005/09/25/1127586746344.html

Of course if they didn't have enough time for sex, then they certainly wouldn't have enough time to raise children.

Another aspect of the Happiness Chart, is that if it is reversed, and work is put at the top and family at the bottom, then it becomes a "1984" scenario. It has been some time since I read the book "1984", but from memory, there was a Winston who went to work, then came home to a single person unit. His only form of entertainment was a flat TV screen that was bolted to the wall, and it had to be left permanently on. Through brainwashing and propaganda, he was being constantly told that his life was wonderful, but he still had a gnawing sense that something was wrong. He had a relationship with another woman, but Big Brother found out about this, so they were both sent away for reprogramming and mental reconditioning. Throughout no one was very happy, and the book is a rather grim tale.

Considering the projected figures for single person households in future years, then 1984 should have been called 2024, and instead of Big Brother, it becomes Big Sister. I can’t remember how children were born in the book 1984, but fewer children will be born in 2024, with an increasing number of childless women. So those children that are born, will probably be born to a much smaller % of women.

All work, no play, no religion, no children, no family, no sense of identity, and of course no sex.... Just great

Basically what you're saying is that any women who's had a successful career must be unhappy. I think if some men were honest, they'd admit they've swallowed their own codswallap which makes them feel they can preach to women from their high moral horse about what women want. It's absolutely laughable.

And yes I did enjoy the pub thank you very much.

Lisamaree,
-You say that any women who's had a successful career must be unhappy.
-You think women are dishonest.
-You admit you’ve swallowed your own codswallap.
-You feel you can preach to men from your high moral horse about what men want.
-You’re absolutely laughable.
-You enjoy the pub.

You have substantiated nothing in your post, so your words can be justifiably twisted around.

The Happiness Chart would mean that if someone is negating or opposing activities at the top end of the list , and instead encouraging women to be mostly involved in the activities at the lower end of the list, then they will be indirectly encouraging women to be generally less happy than what they could be

Timkins you are the twisting artist. If you read that into my post, then it's no wonder you think you know what's best for women from reading "studies" and "charts". Whilst "happiness" may be achieved with all those "values" you've mentioned, including, for some, to stay at home and have babies, I still maintain that freedom of choice is the most important "happiness" value of all.