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Working Title: Happiness: Overview on Money and Happiness

Title: "Can you be poor and happy?" Organization: Debate.org

Through the gathering of many opinions, the timeless question if a person can be poor and happy is once again investigated for an attempt at an answer. The opinions that have been shared only represent a small part of the population yet gives important insight and different perceptions on the relationship of these two factors.


 * According to** the people who argue that yes, people can indeed be poor and happy, if attitudes are positive it is possible. According to psychology, tricking yourself to be a certain type of emotion is possible ("Happiness"). If a person starts smiling to try to be happier, the muscles that are involved and the hormones secreted can actually make the brain think you are happy. They argue that as long as the basic needs of survival are met, it is possible to be both poor and happy. Once they have these minimum means of living, he/she has the potential to be happy since money was never intended to measure a person's happiness. The choices they make are also essential.


 * Along with that,** another contender brings up the argument that even before the invention of money, people were happy. True happiness is about treasuring the objects and relationships a person already has, not wising for what a person could have. The truly important things in life cannot be bought, **for example** good friends, loving family members. Technically, someone could pay another to be their friend, though the bond and the laughter shared would be fake, staged.

One valid point on this debate is the argument regarding the people of Tonga. They are referred to as one of the poorest people on the Earth, yet are also one of the happiest ("Can You Be Poor and Happy?"). This is due to the factor called materialism. First world countries have the luxury of having the internet at their fingertips, overstuffed refrigerators and excess amounts of clothing. People of these countries have gotten used to these things and have grown to depend on them. The people who are living in poverty or who are impoverished are only left with two choices: make the best of what they have or wallow in self-pity and die. Instead of focusing on what they do not possess, they choose to focus on what they are blessed with. "Happiness depends on a way a person perceives his environment", it is them who decides their own level of happiness. Not their title, social standing or the amount of money they have in their pockets.


 * At the same time,** there were others who debated that no, people cannot be poor and happy. One such person stated that the poor are "robbed of their dignity" ("Can You Be Poor and Happy?"). That knowing there are unattainable dreams, things they will never accomplish due to the amount of money they have. The fact that the people in this world are materialistic is once again brought to light. The argument that "the value of human life is determined by what you have to offer" is completely valid as in this world, there are many instances this is true. This is exactly how people are paid. To break this down, if a person has a good education and they have a lot to offer to a company, they will get paid more than a person who works at Burger King. Because they can offer "valuable" ideas, they are worth more, hence the significantly higher salary they are paid.

A great number of question were asked that are valid points to argue against those that say yes. How does one become happy if they are bullied for wearing the same two shirts and same pair of pants to school because that is all they can afford? How could they possibly be happy if they cannot invite their only friend over due to the lack of a stable home? How can one be happy if they are hungry at night? "It is difficult to be happy when every day is toil, hunger and despair" (Can You Be Poor and Happy?").

With this being said, the relationship of money and happiness becomes more complex. It seems that more questions than answers have surfaced. There are different levels of poverty and being "poor". It creeps to the point of putting your money where your mouth is. It is easy to say that the poor merely have to change their thinking and brave a positive attitude and smile when they are not the ones who are suffering. Though apparently it is possible, just look at the people who live in Tonga.

"Can You Be Poor and Happy?" //The Premier Online Debate Website //. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 June 2014.