KarunaNews Story

Beyond what we do as individuals, structural forces and public policies help shape our lives. Laws about marriage, divorce, taxes, reproductive health, children shape the family; where you went to school, the work you do, your gender, race, and religion shape your social network. While your choices and practices can matter a great deal, they are always interacting with social reality to shape your personal well-being. Research shows that you can improve mental health and happiness through public and workplace policies, increasing a society’s overall happiness more than through individual-level practices.