In this chapter I investigate what happiness means now and how we should strive for a life of happiness. If happiness is what
we aim for, for ourselves and for our children, we can assume that the greatest happiness for the greatest number should therefore
be the utilitarian aim of education, health service and politics. These institutions of the state should thus explicitly address
the happiness of citizens, including children.
We know from experience that happy children are healthier, learn better, display more emotional literacy and are better behaved.
But to talk about happiness in education is somehow “soft,” and instead we talk about emotional intelligence, selfesteem,
and anger management. In this chapter, I propose that we should seriously consider the happiness of our children in our institutions
of education and link the concept to spirituality, health, wellbeing and, in particular, to the empowerment of our children
and young people.