Research shows that the happiest children are European and live in the Netherlands. Experts say this can happen for a variety of reasons. One report A 2020 report from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) found that babies and children living in the Netherlands are happier than those in the rest of the world.
Read more: Premature babies who spend more time receiving breast milk are smarter
see more
How to get your CNH for free in 2023?
After hacker attacks, Microsoft releases free tools for…
Netherlands is featured in wellness modalities
UNICEF analyzed data from 41 high-income countries to classify young people according to their physical and mental health and the development of academic and social skills. The result pointed out that the Netherlands can be considered the place that is best ranked in the three health outcomes, followed by the countries of Denmark and Norway.
Chile, Bulgaria and the United States were at the bottom of the table. In addition to these notes, another Better Life Index by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) of 2020 shows that the Netherlands scores above average in several areas including income, education, housing and health in general.
Factors that influence the development of the child
The author of The Working Parent’s Guide to Survival, Anita Clear, said in an interview that it is important to understand the role of socioeconomic factors such as influence for a child's well-being, because if certain needs of a child are met (more likely in a rich country), the chances of happiness are bigger.
She added that it's ideal for parents to set clear boundaries and show love and care to their children. Furthermore, it says that shame and embarrassment is very bad for children. No wonder the Dutch are known for their willingness to talk about topics that might be considered uncomfortable.
Letting children be who they are
The author goes on to say that the Dutch have a reputation for valuing diversity and being inclusive. This parenting approach is important because young people are now under more academic and social pressure (social media).
So growing up in a culture where kids feel they can be exactly who they want to be and they are not judged so it can make friendships more positive and help increase their well-being.
UNICEF research shows that around 81% of 15-year-olds in the Netherlands feel they can easily make friends. This is considered one of the highest rates among the 41 countries included in the study.