Kids Shock MTV Researchers With The Bizarre Things Which Make them Happy! (For Example, Parents Are Actually Cool!)

MTV hired Andy Hines of Social Technologies to research what makes US youth (age 12–24) happy.

Last week I interviewed Andy on my daily drivetime Sirius show BE HAPPY DAMMIT, and Andy admitted he was shocked by some of what was revealed.

In particular Andy predicted today's MTV generation would be more annoyed with their “helicopter parents” than they actually wound up being.

Here are some of his surprising stats:

78% of today's kids say that talking with family members made them feel frequently or occasionally happier.

73% of kids say that their relationship with their parents makes them happy.

80% of those who say they are “very happy” with their parents say they are also happier with life in general.

Nearly half of the respondents say at least one of their parents is a hero.

73% say that their parents are involved in their lives about the right amount.

Shocking, huh -- how today's youth -- who seem so overly concerned with being cool -- and also seem like cynicism is uber-cool -- would then fess up how spending time with family is a cool thing to do...!

"Hardly the stuff of rebels!" admits Andy.

Indeed, kids today seem to adore their parents so much, they also fess up to looking forward to getting married - and are even optimistic about marriage.

90% say they think it is likely that they will be married to the same person their whole life.

85% say they believe getting married will make them happy.

Other than family, Hines says the 3 other big happiness boosters were friendship, faith, and technology.

Which brings me to another surprising stat: kids "chill out" differently than adults.

I fess up that I find it relaxing to turn off my damn cellphone for a few hours.

Not so with kids.

For them a popular definition of "unhappiness" is "being without technology" -- with 46% of today's kids saying that they NEVER turn off their cell phone when they choose to chill out -- that would only stress them out MORE.

For more on this research study listen to the interview on my posted podcast.

Want to make a special tween in your life happy? Check out my tween empowerment book, GIRL WONDERS.