Child well-being in comparative perspective

Abstract

In previous comparative research on child well-being, most attention has been paid to how well-being varies. This paper draws on international comparisons of child well-being to explore a number of hypotheses as to why it might vary. In particular, it seeks to explore why subjective well-being among children might vary between countries. It argues that subjective well-being – what children say about their lives – should be taken seriously and we should be concerned that what they say varies so much. The conclusion is that even though we cannot explain these variations, we can ensure that every effort is made to enhance well-being in schools, in the home, and more directly, by social and emotional education