Why can’t Money buy Happiness and Emotional contentment? (2024)

Can money buy happiness, it sure is a topic that had been debated throughout centuries. “Money buyseverything, except morality and citizens” a quote by Rousseau wrote in 1750, (Vanover, 2021)could be taken as the origin for the very commonly used saying “Money can’t buy Happiness”, it explains the limitation money has upon emotional needs. Even though, money can buy materialistic things, real happiness cannot be earned through it. In the modern society, money is given a major dominance for every aspects of the human life, however why are many suffering from emotional dissatisfaction? This is yet a mystery to be solved, but the answer is quite simple and straightforward, money cannot be responsible for emotional contentment. It is true happiness cannot be described easily; it differs from an individual to another but the common ground for happiness is not money. You simply can’t spend your troubles away, but sure many would bring arguments. The point is money does play a major role in human life, but it cannot be taken a source of happiness it's just a tool that aid to achieve that sense of emotional satisfaction.

Happiness depends on the emotional satisfaction one could attain by themselves; the feeling of happiness cannot be bought, as simple as the concept, humans simply cannot understand nor can stop the run behind money. Having a lot of money will help to lead a luxurious life with comfort, but does that mean it brings happiness or emotional contentment? That is the paradox. Human often sacrifices their time and effort in the search behind money, sure money can bring a certain degree of stability to one’s life but that doesn’t prove the fact that it is the cause of one’s happiness. It is a misconception of many, in the constant hustle to earn, humans end up leading a miserable life. The more wealth we possess increase our wants and needs, as well as the complexity. Complex lifestyles bring the constant unease about the security and high demand for maintenance, which ends in distress and dilemma, According to (Vanover, 2021) “The more stuff you own, the more work and money it takes to maintain it. Sometimes less is more. Owning less stuff can free up some of your time to do things you enjoy.” The materialistic pleasure will provide sense of temporary happiness, which eventually will fade away leaving the feeling of emptiness. Money cannot fulfil the voids in the hearts, and as much as the sense of victory one would feel, the truth is it also will bring fear, displeasure and stress.

Furthermore, the most important factor for emotional contentment and happiness of one’s life is; loved ones, but unfortunately in the modern era money has damaged the value of real relationships. Hence, how can money be considered as a factor for happiness? Dominance for money had deteriorated the bonds between family, in the run for money; the time that should be spend among family members has reduced, which had led to dissatisfaction and misery. Children often feel disconnected to their parents, in the delusion of providing upmost comfort to the children through luxuries parents misses the opportunity of quality time with the children. According to researched article (Tirfeneh and Srahbzu,, 2020)in a study done at a high school out of 624 Teenagers 334 (53.3%) were known to be suffering from depression and social disorders due to parental negligence. Children get emotionally withdrawn, as parents do not have time for the children, that causes mental issues in children. Money often cause damage than good; another point we could consider is romantic relationship according to (Hawrylack) quality of relationships has destructed due wealth. The real intention of finding a partner for love have now become for money, this serves for the temporary emotional happiness, but cannot be fulfilling. The foundation for the relationship has become their wallets than love. As a result, relationships does not last long like in the past. People tend to run behind more materialistic pleasures than real emotional contentment.

However, some may argue that money, improves the value of life and health, if we are rich, we can get better services, but they could be proved wrong. No matter how much we earn we cannot buy health, riches don’t guarantee a healthy life. The world richest entrepreneur CEO and the Co- Founder of Apple incorporation Steve Jobs passed away from Pancreatic cancer, in the end his riches could not help him. It somewhat proves my point how wealth cannot secure your health. Being healthy is direct reflection of a happy and content life, but money cannot buy you this happiness. Another example for this is the pandemic COVID- 19, many became the victims of the virus regardless the status or wealth. With money you can buy the best service and comfort but not longevity nor emotional comfort. A vital feature for a mentally healthy life is emotional satisfaction, when people are happy, they tend to heal quickly. Placebo effect is a proof, it is a technique used by doctors in the 1970s, when patients feel sick the doctors make them feel reassured with a fake medicine, as they feel emotionally content they seem to heal quickly. This cost nothing and no money can buy this emotional happiness. Moreover, many things that make us truly happy are free. Humans feel gratified by doing the things that make them happy, for that money is not a factor. Irrespective to the status or wealth, man enjoys striving behind things that makes them emotionally attached and content. Most of the time these activities do not require money, whether it be a stroll down the beach, trek to the mountains, swim in a river or an adventure in a forest these activities are what bring the feeling of bliss not the money that cost. If money brings happiness, how come richest people seems to live miserable lives? According to (Hawrylack) money can help to reach some for our goals it does not revolve around our happiness. Our emotional state becomes fulfilled from doing what we love, feeling self-worth and victorious.

In conclusion, Money sure is an essential factor in modern man’s life, but the thought it brings happiness to one’s life is a delusion. Money can bring temporary contentment, yet much more solid foundations of happiness come without a price tag. Finding the real source of happiness will let us lead a content life, and running behind money surely is not the correct path. Money can't buy happiness but sure it is an essential aspects of life to survive, but surviving and living is two different concepts.