'We're women, we're young and we're happy' is the anthem of the now generation. And quite contrary to what the opposite sex might think, it does not take diamonds, a swanky car or a beachhouse to make a woman happy. It's those little things that bring on the sunshine... a warm hug from her beloved, a heart-to-heart with a pal, losing an inch from her waist...

Happiness Is Not A Destination. It Is A Method Of Life
So what makes a woman happy? As sociologist Susan Vishwanathan from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) points out, "Women who have autonomy and are free to make their choices are probably happier than men primarily because those choices have been fought for and won after very recent battles. Women are happy to be out at work and cope with responsibilities at home and work. I think they count these as major victories."

Is it that sense of being able to steer their lives on their chosen tracks that makes them happy? Yes, more than ever. Preeta Verghese Arora, communications professional, Faculty for Management Studies, Pune, is clear that, "At the right time in life, I was able to take a call on what my priorities were. There was the total conviction that I wanted the best of all the worlds - family, career, relationships and of course, time for myself as a thinking individual."

Preeta is not the only one taking a call on what she wants in life. Bangalore's Susan George has reason to crow as, "I've succeeded since I've managed to get away from Kerala to come and study in Bangalore. It has been exhilarating." For 25-year-old Delhi journalist Sanghita Singh, happiness equates with being independent, meeting her deadlines and at the end of the day, being responsible for herself. Happiness for women, she believes, also comes from having come to terms with themselves and not needing any man to feel happy...

And valuing the small things... Like "When my little daughter sends me an e-mail, or when my dog cuddles up near my feet at night or when my mother calls to chat," says Radhika Dossa, 29-year-old ad filmmaker, hotelier and casting director, Pune, or "if I get back home and find my mom's cooked my favourite 'rajma' or my dad's got me flowers," says Shruti Chauhan.

Blissful Belles
All over the world women are happier with their lives overall than men!
According to the Pew Global Attitudes survey conducted by the Pew Research Centre in 44 countries (38,000 interviews), the women surveyed reported that compared to five years ago, they had made more progress in their lives than men.

Among the countries where women are found to be significantly happier than men is India: 21 per cent women as compared to 13 per cent men. And this trend emerged from all around the world, from the rich countries in North Africa to the poorest nations in Africa and Asia.

In particular, women are much happier than men in Japan, India, the Philippines, Pakistan and Argentina. In 29 out of the 44 country surveys, women gave their lives a better rating. Women in most countries also tend to be more satisfied than men with the personal progress they have made in recent years. In three-fifths of the countries surveyed (26 of 44), more women than men feel they are better off now than they were five years ago. And in ten of those nations, including the United States (52 per cent) and Nigeria (69 per cet) more than half the women surveyed say their lives have improved. Men and women also have different life perspectives:

Women show greater concern about issues that directly affect the family and home life, whereas men are more concerned about issues outside the home. In other words, women are inwardly focused, showing more concern about issues that affect them and their families. Interestingly however, despite, or possibly because of their outward focus, men rate their family life better than women. In 26 of the 44 societies, the men surveyed say they are very satisfied with their life at home and are more optimistic about what lies ahead for their children!

Women who have autonomy and are free to make their choices are probably happier than men primarily because those choices have been fought for and won after very recent battlesWomen who have autonomy and are free to make their choices are probably happier than men primarily because those choices have been fought for and won after very recent battles

'If I See More Women Around, I'd Be Less Stressed!'
olo player Angad Kalan: "No, I won't agree with that. I think it's equal for both men and women; they're both happy and unhappy. I'm pretty happy with my life and I know women who are happy with theirs. It depends on so many things." On second thoughts, he feels, "but then it could be possible because maybe women are less stressed out than men. Why? Because more men are working and men have more responsibilities. Personally, if I see more women around, I'd be less stressed!"