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There are plenty of positives to being young, single and baby free, but in this week’s edition we’ll see if parenthood makes for the happiest life. We’ll also learn that an alarming number of pregnant women aren’t getting the proper STD tests and if you’ve got something you want to get off your chest, you’re more likely to do it via text than in person.
Hi, I’m Bailey Mosier. This is your EmpowHER HER Week in Health.
There are plenty of positives to being young, single and baby free, but in this week’s edition we’ll see if parenthood makes for the happiest life. We’ll also learn that an alarming number of pregnant women aren’t getting the proper STD tests and if you’ve got something you want to get off your chest, you’re more likely to do it via text than in person. Have a look.
Researchers from the University of California, Riverside, the University of British Columbia and Stanford University recently found that parents experience greater levels of happiness and meaning in life than people without children.
The findings are among a new wave of research that suggests that parenthood comes with relatively more positives, despite the added responsibilities. The study also highlights the possibility that parenting is a fundamental human need.
Among the findings, researchers noted that parents are happier when taking care of their children than while doing other daily activities and older and married parents tend to be happier than young or single parents.
So if you’re still on the fence about having children, this may give you an additional perspective to consider.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all pregnant women be tested for Chlamydia at their first prenatal visit, but a recent study shows 40 percent of women fail to do so.
Researchers at Quest Diagnostics analyzed 1.3 million U.S. women who had blood work done during pregnancy and found that only 59 percent were tested for Chlamydia. If left untreated, Chlamydia can lead to infertility or a dangerous condition in which the fertilized egg grows outside the uterus. Chlamydia can also cause eye infections or pneumonia in newborns.
Screening plays an important role in catching Chlamydia because it often has no symptoms. While this study had some limitations, researchers suggest pregnant women talk to their doctors about being tested for STDs. These tests aren’t about judging a woman’s behavior. It’s about making sure you and your baby are as healthy as possible.
New research from the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research shows that people are more willing to be candid when they are texting, compared with when they're speaking out loud.
Researchers surveyed 600 people who used iPhones and asked them a number of questions to see whether they answered them more honestly and/or precisely over text instead of voice. Their answers were, in fact, more honest and more thorough if provided via text message.
These findings surprised the researchers because texting creates a tangible record that can be viewed by others at a later time.
That wraps up your EmpowHER HER Week in Health. Join me here at EmpowHER every Friday as we recap the latest in women’s health.
Add a Comment3 Comments
I think for some people, having kids does improve their lives. But that doesn't mean that every person who has children is going to experience a better, more positive life. Just turn on daytime television and watch the "whose my baby's daddy" segments and I think it's clear that for some, children make life worse.
Also, I think more people should obligate themselves for their own happiness and not rely so much on others. It's far too easy to blame society, culture, bad friends, bad parents, bad whatever for lack of happiness when the main cause of unhappiness is often one's own self.
May 28, 2012 - 4:58pmThis Comment
Why is there no data from the studies? What about links to the abstract in the scientific journal where the studies were published? Half-baked article.
May 28, 2012 - 2:00pmThis Comment
I can say firsthand as the mother of two little ones it does make you happier. Cannot imagine my life being th esame without them.
http://www.drperrone.com
May 25, 2012 - 3:19pmThis Comment