Marcus Buckingham: "... since 1972, women's overall level of happiness has dropped, both relative to where they were forty years ago, and relative to men. You find this drop in happiness in women regardless of whether they have kids, how many kids they have, how much money they make, how healthy they are, what job they hold, whether they are married, single or divorced, how old they are, or what race they are. (The one and only exception: African-American women are now slightly happier than they were back in 1972, although they remain less happy than African American men.) ... And, in case you're wondering, this finding is neither unique to this one study, nor is it unique to the United States."
Source: What's Happening to Women's Happiness?" 9/17/2009.
Current research confirms at least three First Ladies nailed the happiness issue.
Martha Washington: "The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our disposition and not on our circumstances."
Source: Marcus Buckingham. "What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently." HuffingtonPost.com. 9/28/2009.Betty Ford: "I was giving too much of myself and not taking any time out for Betty ..."
Source: Kati Marton. Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our History. pg. 208.Michelle Obama: "Throughout my life, I've learned to make choices that make me happy and make sense for me. Even my husband is happier when I'm happy. So I have freed myself to put me on the priority list and say, yes, I can make choices that make me happy, and it will ripple and benefit my kids, my husband and my physical health."
Source: Darlene Superville. "Michelle Obama to women: Do what makes you happy." Associated Press. 9/28/2009.