For Kids, It’s Better to Give Than Receive

Kaitlin Woods

English 101-010

Summary #1

2.2.16

        In “For Kids, It’s Better to Give Than Receive”, Amanda Enayati who is a contributor and columnist for CNN.com, NPR, & The Washington post,  says that in in order to make their children happy, people should show them how to give instead of always receiving.

        Enayati supports that children were happier when they shared something of their own with someone else. Researcher Lara Akin was a part of a study that focused on pro-social spending, which basically includes volunteering and giving back to the community in some way. The study took place at the University of British Columbia and researchers concluded that this type of spending could turn into a very positive cycle. Spending money on other people or causes generally brings about higher levels of happiness, instead of when you just spend money on yourself.

        Another researcher named J. Kiley Hamlin was also involved in the study, and she does not believe that we need to teach children to feel good about living when they are young. It turns out that children are naturally unselfish, and Hamlin observed that the benefits of giving could be part of the system. Enayati goes on to say that parents could be the reason for the “lack of gratitude”, because children are constantly supplied with things. Dr. Jordi Quoidbach did a study in 2010 called, “Money Giveth, Money Taketh Away” and found evidence that having access to the best things in life takes away from a person’s ability to enjoy life’s smaller pleasures.

        Researchers have found out that not indulging as much allows people to be happier, & that children can become less reluctant about giving when given the opportunity to do so.