40.7 F
Schenectady
Monday, April 28, 2025

Insights into Families: 5 Key Takeaways from 2023

spot_img
spot_img

SALT LAKE CITY — Sociologists, pollsters, medical researchers and other experts work year-round studying what leads to ‍a ⁢better life, across a ⁣bunch of different measures. They also ⁣pinpoint factors that can ⁢detract​ or that challenge people for various​ reasons. As studies and surveys peel‍ back ​the curtain on aspects of health and well-being, many ⁢of the insights can be⁣ acted ‍upon.

Here are ⁢five things we learned about family life from⁢ research and polls‍ in 2023.

The ​sleep ‘sweet ⁤spot’ for longer life

A Harvard-led team of researchers⁤ drove home the value of adequate, high-quality sleep, noting that “young⁣ people ‍who have more beneficial sleep ⁢habits are‌ incrementally less‌ likely to die early.” They presented findings⁢ from ⁣their sleep ⁤research ​at the American College⁤ of Cardiology’s 2023 ⁤Annual Scientific Session.

They ⁢said that about 1 in 12 deaths — from any cause —⁢ could be linked to⁢ poor sleep.

A ton of research says the body ⁣benefits from sleep,‌ a time‍ when it ​clears toxins, boosts immunity and improves brain and hormone function. Getting enough sleep is vital, though⁢ getting too much sleep is not good.

The researchers said that five sleep habits add close to five years ⁢to ‌a man’s life expectancy⁢ and two-and-a-half⁣ years to a woman’s. Those⁢ five sleep factors are:

  • Sleeping seven to eight hours a night.
  • Struggling to fall asleep no more than two times a week.
  • Having trouble staying asleep two times a week or ‌less.
  • Not using sleep medication.
  • Feeling well-rested when you wake up at least‍ five days a week.
  • Having⁢ a⁤ consistent sleep schedule.

You can read more about ⁢this‍ sleep research here.

Americans say career​ choices ‍are key to their happiness

Americans — including religious folks — increasingly believe ​choosing the right career path is more vital to happiness‍ and​ a good ⁣life​ than choosing the right spouse. That’s according to findings in a Pew‌ Research Center report published in September.

“In every religious ‍group analyzed, two-thirds or more say having a job or career they⁤ enjoy is extremely or⁤ very important for⁣ people to live a fulfilling life,” Pew reported. “By comparison, ⁤having children and being married‌ ranks lower among all religious groups.”

As Kelsey​ Dallas reported for the Deseret News, ‌”To be‌ clear, people ⁤of faith generally aren’t negative ⁣about marriage, although they view it as less of ⁣a fulfillment-driver than ⁣other things.”

Read more⁢ about faith and ⁣family formation here.

Americans worry ⁢about the future of the family

The ⁤same Pew report ‍found‍ that close to 4 in 10 Americans are⁤ pessimistic about the future of the family. A quarter ⁤— 25% — say they feel optimistic, while 29% say they‍ are neither.

When the​ survey asked respondents whether specific ⁢trends ⁣are positive or negative for the future, the one⁤ seen as most negative is ⁤”fewer children raised by two married parents.” Nearly half see that as a ​negative, compared to just over 1 in 10 who believe it’s a positive, the report said.

More consider fewer people ever getting married a negative (36%) than ⁢see it as a positive (9%). Twice as many (29%) see cohabiting as negative than see​ it ⁣as positive (15%).

But when it comes to having fewer children, the numbers are very ⁤similar: 27% call that negative and ⁣25% call that positive.

Find five more findings from‌ that survey here.

Marriage is still an​ aspiration, but not seen as crucial to ‌thrive

Marriage ⁤is popular and most Americans ⁣who have never wed ⁢hope to do⁤ so one⁤ day. ​But the marriage rate is declining ⁤and more children are being ⁣born to‌ unwed‌ parents.

That’s‍ according ‌to the ⁢newest‍ American Family⁢ Survey, ⁢conducted ⁤by YouGov for ⁣Deseret News and BYU’s Center for the Study of Elections ‌and Democracy and the university’s Wheatley‍ Institute. The nationally representative survey finds views on marriage split three ways: A Republican, ⁣churchgoing group ⁤that’s largely enthusiastic about marriage; a Democratic group that is becoming more ⁢skeptical‍ and is not particularly churchgoing; and “an odd collection of ⁣change in the middle.”

The survey reports that:

  • Marriage is weakening as a support for ⁣children.
  • Democrats are losing faith in ⁣marriage.
  • Republicans ⁤and the “privileged” are​ investing less in programs to⁢ support ⁣marriage.
  • Marriage is still seen as an important‍ institution, but not as crucial to ⁣thrive.

You can read more about family⁣ formation attitudes‌ here.

Volunteering⁤ can lower ‌the risk⁢ of Alzheimer’s

Volunteering⁣ is good for memory and executive function, so ‌researchers at the University of California, Davis found voluntarism could be a hedge ​against developing Alzheimer’s disease. Their study, presented at the annual Alzheimer’s Association international⁤ research conference,⁤ said volunteering was associated with better baseline scores for⁤ executive function and verbal episodic memory, even after they adjusted‍ for⁣ a‌ number of factors including age, education, sex and income. ⁣And volunteering ⁣more often is even better.

“Volunteering may be important ⁢for⁤ better ⁤cognition in ⁣late life and could ‍serve as a simple intervention in ‌all older ⁢adults​ to protect against risk⁤ for‌ Alzheimer’s disease and associated dementias,” Yi Lor, ​an epidemiology doctoral⁢ student⁤ at UC Davis, ​said in‍ the study release. “Our next steps are to examine whether volunteering is protective against ⁢cognitive impairment and how ⁢physical ⁤and mental⁣ health ‌may‍ impact‍ this relationship.”

People-oriented​ and service-oriented ​volunteering ⁣are ⁣best, ​the⁢ researchers said. ⁢You ‌can ⁢read more research findings from the gathering here.

spot_img
Truth Media Network
Truth Media Network
News aggregated courtesy of Truth Media Network.
Latest news
Read More

209 COMMENTS

  1. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit mycomment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway,just wanted to say wonderful blog!

  2. Hello my family member! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and come with approximately all important infos. I’d like to peer more posts like this.

  3. I am no longer sure the place you are getting your information, however good topic. I needs to spend a while finding out much more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was searching for this info for my mission.

  4. Normally I do not learn article on blogs, however I wishto say that this write-up very pressured me to check out and do it!Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks,quite nice post.

  5. Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement accountit. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you!However, how can we communicate?Visit my blog post … Luiresse

  6. Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading?I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

  7. Hey there! I’ve been reading your blog for some timenow and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Kingwood Tx!Just wanted to say keep up the great job!

  8. Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and come with almost all vital infos. I’d like to peer extra posts like this .

  9. I wish to show my affection for your kindness giving support to those individuals that absolutely need guidance on this one concept. Your personal commitment to passing the message across had become amazingly practical and have consistently helped others just like me to get to their desired goals. Your entire useful tips and hints can mean this much a person like me and additionally to my office workers. With thanks; from each one of us.

  10. Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

  11. Hello! Quick question that’s entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My site looks weird when viewing from my iphone4. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to fix this issue. If you have any suggestions, please share. With thanks!

  12. Hi would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using? I’m looking to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

  13. Hello! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one? Thanks a lot!

  14. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Great work!

  15. I do trust all the ideas you have presented for your post. They’re really convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are too brief for beginners. May just you please lengthen them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.

  16. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you, However I am having troubles with your RSS. I donít know the reason why I can’t join it. Is there anybody having the same RSS issues? Anyone who knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  17. Might be nearly close to impossible to encounter well-educated visitors on this content, yet somehow you appear like you understand what exactly you’re indicating! Regards

  18. Fantaѕtic sіte. A lot of useful іnfoгmation here.I am sending itt to sevеrɑl friends ans aⅼso shɑring in ⅾelicious.And certainly, thank you for your sweat!Feel free to visit my wеb sute – jasa backlink wikipedia

  19. Hello there! I know this is kind of off topic butI was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form?I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problemsfinding one? Thanks a lot!

  20. נערות ליווי בחיפה כנסו לאתר הזה עכשיו ותהנו ממגון רחב של בנות הכי יפות בארץ אז למה אתם מחכים כנסו עכשיו

  21. I’m really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one today..

  22. An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. I do believe that you ought to publish more on this issue, it may not be a taboo subject but usually folks don’t talk about such subjects. To the next! All the best!!

  23. Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  24. When some one searches for his necessary thing, therefore he/sheneeds to be available that in detail, thus that thing is maintained over here.Feel free to visit my blog … Ardent Male Enhancement

  25. It is truly a great and useful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  26. I just like the valuable information you supply to your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check once more right here regularly. I’m quite certain I will be informed plenty of new stuff proper here! Good luck for the next!

  27. Great blog you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to find high-quality writing like yours these days.I honestly appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!Also visit my blog post :: Muama Translator

  28. You can certainly see your expertise in the paintings you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always follow your heart. «Man is the measure of all things.» by Protagoras.

  29. hi!,I love your writing so a lot! percentage we communicate more approximately your poston AOL? I need an expert in this area to unravelmy problem. May be that is you! Having a look forward topeer you.

  30. It’s really a nice and helpful piece of info. I’m happy that you simplyshared this helpful information with us.Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  31. Very interesting points you have noted , thankyou for putting up. “The surest way to get rid of a bore is to lend money to him.” by Paul Louis Courier.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here