Title: Happy parents in Latin America? Exploring the impact of gender, work-family satisfaction, and parenthood on general life happiness

Authors: Elizabeth Terrazas-Carrillo; Paula T. McWhirter; Hannah K. Muetzelfeld

Addresses: Department of Psychology and Communication, Texas A&M International University, 5201 University Blvd., Laredo, Texas 78045, USA ' Professional Counseling Program, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Oklahoma, 820 Van Vleet Oval, Norman, OK 73019-2041, USA ' Professional Counseling Program, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Oklahoma, 820 Van Vleet Oval, Norman, OK 73019-2041, USA

Abstract: This study explores the impact of gender, employment, parenthood, and work-family satisfaction on happiness in three Latin American countries using data from the 2002 International Social Survey. Results indicated the existence of significant differences in happiness, family life satisfaction, and division of household labour between Latin American men and women who report being married and working full-time. Overall, men were happier than women but women experienced higher levels of family life satisfaction. Results from a regression analysis indicate being male, having high levels of job and family satisfaction, and presence of children in the household are positive predictors of happiness. However, being female and experiencing time binds have a negative impact on general life happiness. Contrary to research in Western countries, children were found to be a source of increased happiness for employed and married Latin American men and women. Results are discussed in the context of cultural differences in gender and marriage values.

Keywords: parenting; parenthood; happiness; Latin America; job satisfaction; family satisfaction; happy parents; gender; work-family satisfaction; work-life balance; employment; family life; marriage; Brazil; Chile; Mexico.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2016.079596

International Journal of Happiness and Development, 2016 Vol.3 No.2, pp.140 - 161

Received: 23 Feb 2016
Accepted: 27 Jun 2016
Published online: 04 Oct 2016 *

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