Study finds parents of two daughters report highest happiness levels

Scientists at Zhejiang Gongshang University used data from six rounds of the Chinese General Social Survey, which surveyed almost 50,000 people between 2012 and 2021, to explore how the gender makeup of children relates to parental well-being. The results show a clear “daughter advantage,” with parents of only daughters—most notably those with two daughters—reporting the highest happiness scores, particularly among middle-aged adults.

The researchers propose two explanations: first, societal expectations that women are more emotionally expressive and relational, and second, the traditional “kinkeeping” role daughters often play in sustaining intergenerational connections. The study, published in Acta Psychologica, cautions that its findings are specific to China and may not apply elsewhere. It adds to understanding how family composition can influence quality of life within the context of cultural and institutional shifts.