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New York Post
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Is it any wonder liberals are having a mental health crisis?
Liberals are more than twice as likely to say they have poor mental health — while conservatives are more than twice as likely to say their mental well-being is 'excellent.' Is it any wonder? Conservatives promote family and religious values and pro-community messaging. The left is the party of grievance politics and 'yes you can't' messaging. Advertisement 9 Liberals are twice as likely to say they have poor mental health, according to self-reported data. pressmaster – Now, data collected from the 2022 Cooperative Election Study from Tufts University and reported by statistician and political commentator Nate Silver reveals that, among voters who said their mental health was poor, 45% identified as politically liberal and just 19% were conservatives. Conversely, those who said they had excellent mental health identified as conservative 51% of the time, while 20% were liberal. 9 Nate Silver published data showing liberals have worse mental health outcomes on his Substack. Slaven Vlasic Advertisement The stark lifestyle differences between the two are illuminating. For one thing, Democrats have ceded a virtual monopoly on pro-family and pro-religious messaging to Republicans — the very values that can promote life meaning, interpersonal connection and mental well-being. Conservatives traditionally promote family values, and it's long been known that people who have other people who rely on them, like spouses and children, fare better than people who only worry about themselves. Take, for example, Fay Dubinsky, a 28-year-old Zoomer who actually describes herself as a happy member of the most depressed generation on record. Advertisement 9 Fay Dubinsky says her marriage and child give her meaning and purpose. Courtesy of Fay Dubinsky 'I take time for myself, but so much of my day is to help others, to take care of my family, to take care of my baby,' Dubinsky, a mother of a two-year-old, told The Post. 'People my age, their life is about them, and serving themselves, and always seeking out more pleasure.' Some 86% of conservatives identify with a religion, according to Pew. And religious people are more likely to self-describe as 'very happy' in the United States, likely because they have a connection to a higher purpose beyond the earthly world. This likewise applies to Dubinsky: 'I grew up Jewish and religious, and I think that's probably one of the reasons that I'm not depressed or anxious. I have so much meaning in my life, and that's not typical for my generation.' Advertisement 9 Religious people tend to report greater happiness in the United States. tutye – But it's also about the messaging coming from conservative politicians about self-reliance and self-confidence, two traits highly associated with mental well-being, according to mental health professionals and organizations alike. The right traditionally espouses pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps messaging — teaching people they can rely on their hard work and resolve to get by. On the flip side, Democrats have embraced just about the opposite of all of these values. Self-reliance?The libs aren't fans. 9 Young men have shifted to the right as Democrats embraced grievance politics. Michael Nigro Identity politics have overtaken the Democratic party, as lefty leaders insist that immutable characteristics like race and gender are constantly holding citizens back from their potential. Only government intervention — and a vote for their side — can fix it, they claim. It's the sort of ideology that saw the Biden administration attempt to give out loans exclusively to black farmers. What sort of message does that send? 9 The Biden Administration attempted to deliver loans to black farmers, while excluding other groups. Bloomberg via Getty Images Advertisement Or how about the endless insistence that non-white voters would be disenfranchised if voter ID laws were put in place, because they couldn't possibly be expected to produce identification like everyone else? Democrats have also become the party of handouts and free things — from student loan forgiveness to endless stimulus checks — implying that Americans can't get along without their help in a world stacked against them. 'Today the game is rigged — rigged to work for those who have money and power,' Elizabeth Warren declared in her memoir 'A Fighting Chance.' It's an ironic title, considering how the Massachusetts senator is pretty much implying regular Americans don't have one. 9 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said one's Zip code 'determines your destiny.' Paul Kitagaki Jr./ZUMA Press Wire / Advertisement 'I was born in a place where your Zip code determines your destiny,' Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, a graduate of Boston University and nationally famous politician, told her constituents who are from that same area. And sometimes it's not even clear who exactly is holding people back … but it's definitely someone. 'There will be a resistance to your ambition, there will be people who say to you, 'You are out of your lane.'' Kamala Harris bafflingly said in 2020. 'They are burdened by only having the capacity to see what has always been instead of what can be. But don't you let that burden you.' 9 Kamala Harris has alluded to 'burdens' borne by the American people. AP Advertisement There's a term in psychology called the 'locus of control,' which refers to your sense of whether things happen to you or whether you make things happen. No surprise that the latter — a greater sense of agency — is associated with vastly better mental health. When you stop thinking everything is working against you and start taking power over what you can control, the world becomes a far less scary place. Unfortunately, the left has taught its voters to externalize their locus of control, according to Greg Lukianoff, co-author of 'The Coddling of the American Mind.' 9 'The Coddling of the American Mind' theorized that some progressive ideas were making people depressed and anxious. Advertisement 'Progressivism, with its emphasis on victimhood and vulnerability to impersonal forces … weakens the sense of agency and, frankly, contributes to depression and anxiety,' he told The Post. 'As the political left reevaluates its strategies on everything from abundance to identity, it should also consider adopting an ideology that empowers individuals, fosters an internal sense of control and doesn't fuel emotional suffering.' It's no wonder, then, that the party of self-pity is also the party of poor mental health.
New York Post
26-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
Gen Zers who are actually happy are saying yes to religion and family — and no to social media
Many of the kids are not alright — though some are. According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, Americans ages 18 to 29 ranked 62nd amongst the 140 countries surveyed in terms of self-reported well-being and life satisfaction — far below all US adults, who ranked 24th in the most recent report. But a small segment of young Americans are bucking the trend and finding happiness. The Post spoke with several, and they all noted that limiting their time on Instagram, TikTok and the like was crucial to their mental well-being. The average Zoomer spends three quarters of their day consuming content. Advertisement 8 Kevin Alexander has cerebral palsy and believes he's happier than most of his able-bodied peers. Courtesy of Kevin Alexander 'Social media in and of itself is a very negative and toxic place,' Kevin Alexander, a self-described happy 28-year-old from Southern Florida, told The Post. 'I don't use it that much.' Alexander has suffered from cerebral palsy since birth and uses crutches for mobility. His disability taught him that 'comparison is the thief of joy' early on, so he's always avoided social media, which he believes has been key. Advertisement 'I happen to be physically disabled, so I tend to look more for positive things, because I've certainly dealt with a host of negativity in my life through operations, through stigma, through a lot of things,' he explained. Alexander, who recently got his master's degree in history and is working on an essay collection while applying to PhD programs, also credits his intellectual pursuits for his positive outlook. 8 Kevin Alexander says he escapes in books and history. Courtesy of Kevin Alexander 'I read a lot, and I try to stay inside in my own head more than listen to the external noise,' he said. 'I'm just so in my books and in my writing that I can get lost to the world for several hours of the day at a time.' Advertisement Ben Feinblum, a 20-year-old sophomore studying business at Georgia Tech, believes social media is bringing his generation down and credits his positive outlook to restricting his use of it. 'Social media makes people very comfortable being alone, and even when they are hanging out with people they're on their phones and texting people that aren't even there,' the New Rochelle native said. 8 Ben Feinblum believes his generation's mental health is harmed by social media. Courtesy of Ben Feinblum Feinblum turns off notifications on apps, such as Instagram, that aren't essential, and he and his friends have created rituals to stay in the moment while hanging out. Advertisement 'My friends will be very conscious of who's on their phone and call them out,' he said. 'We stack up our phones on the table, and whoever picks theirs up first is the one to pay the tip for dinner.' Sarah-Elisabeth Ellison, an unusually upbeat 20-year-old sophomore at Samford University in Alabama, also makes efforts to rein in her social media use when she feels it getting out of hand. 8 Sarah-Elisabeth Ellison says that exercising and getting outside helps her stay happy. Courtesy of Sarah-Elisabeth Ellison 'I can kind of take authority and say, you know what, Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok is really affecting me. I've got to delete it for a week or two or whatever,' she said. She also avoids 'bed rotting' — a wallowing form of self care beloved by Zoomers — in favor of healthier pursuits. 'Instead, [I say] I'm gonna go take a walk outside. I'm going to read a book,' she said. 'I think sometimes you need to escape whatever your situation is, and I think reading is the greatest resource.' 8 Sarah-Elisabeth Ellison sometimes deletes social media apps when she feels they're detrimental to her mental health. Courtesy of Sarah-Elisabeth Ellison Daily journaling has also been proved helpful to Ellison, who dealt with anxiety in her teens. Advertisement 'Just getting my thoughts out and getting to stretch those writing legs has always brought a boost to my serotonin,' she said. 'I try to get down five things I'm grateful for.' Nearly all of the happy Zoomers The Post spoke with cited their religion as a major reason for their contentment. 'Something that has always influenced me is growing up with a dad that's a pastor,' Ellison said. 'My faith has ebbed and flowed and changed a lot as I've grown up, but it's always been consistently there for me to fall back on.' 8 Kevin Alexander recently received a master's degree in history and plans to pursue a PhD. Courtesy of Kevin Alexander Advertisement For Alexander, his Christian faith has helped him frame his disability in a positive manner. 'The fact that I'm still here 28 years later makes me believe that God has me here for a reason,' he said. 'I have physical limitations, but He spared my ability to speak, to think, and to write effectively. The idea that I'm here for a purpose keeps me from falling into the generational nihilism.' 8 Fay Dubinsky's Jewish faith grounded her with larger meaning. Courtesy of Fay Dubinsky Fay Dubinsky, 28 of Boca, Florida, credits Judaism with providing her with a sense of community and meaning. Advertisement 'I grew up Jewish and religious, and I think that's probably one of the reasons that I'm not depressed or anxious,' she said. 'I have so much meaning in my life, and that's not typical for my generation.' 8 Dubinsky, 28, is the mother of a son and is also 7 months pregnant with her second child. Courtesy of Fay Dubinsky Dubinsky, who works as a therapist, also says her choice to get married early, at age 25, and start a family soon after has given her more purpose. She has a nearly 2-year-old son and is 7-months-pregnant. 'I take time for myself, but so much of my day is to help others, to take care of my family, to take care of my baby,' she said. 'I think the number one problem in my generation is a lack of meaning. People my age, their life is about them, and serving themselves, and always seeking out more pleasure.'
New York Post
02-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
‘Too broke to break up': More Americans than ever are staying in relationships — because they can't afford to be single
They've got 99 problems — and rent is one. Nearly one in four Americans say they're stuck in a relationship they can't afford to leave, according to a new national survey from Self Financial. Turns out, love isn't what's keeping some couples together — it's the shared Wi-Fi bill. The poll of more than 1,000 people found that 24% of respondents admitted they'd like to break up with their current partner — if only it wouldn't break the bank. Rising rent, sky-high grocery bills and inflation have made coupling up more of a financial strategy than a romantic one. 'While no one likes the idea of having to stay with a partner for financial reasons, for some this may be the only way to financially keep their head above water,' Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek. 'Whether it's sharing the rent, utility bills, groceries or any other expenses, couples are increasingly having to lean on each other financially to manage the cost of living,' he added. 4 The new poll of over 1,000 people found that 24% would call it quits with their partner — if doing so didn't blow up their bank account. It's a trend that's especially brutal in high-cost cities like New York, where data analyzed by the finance app Frich earlier this year indicated that Manhattan couples can save over $50,000 per year by shacking up — instead of splitting up. That so-called 'singles tax' has soared 40% in the last three years. For Gen Z, breaking up is especially expensive. 4 The dreaded 'singles tax' has spiked 40% in just three years — and for Gen Z, splitting up can come with a seriously steep price tag. Ievgen Chabanov According to the recent Frich survey, the average cost of a breakup for a Zoomer is $3,862, thanks to post-split spending on retail therapy, rebound trips, and, of course, suddenly footing solo rent. A 'single girl's night out' costs the average person about $92, while one in five Gen Z-ers admit to dropping nearly $2,000 on a post-breakup vacation to heal their broken hearts — and bank accounts. It's no wonder, then, that 18% of Gen Z told Frich they stayed in relationships they weren't happy in, and nearly 40% said they'd move in with a partner before they were ready just to save on housing costs. 4 A solo girl's night sets the average wallet back $92 — and 1 in 5 Gen Z heartbreak survivors confess to blowing nearly $2K on a getaway to cry (and cope) in style. Gorodenkoff Productions OU Not surprisingly, the aforementioned Self Financial survey found 86% of respondents had argued with their partner over money — and in many cases, it led to a breakup. Roughly 41% said finances were a factor in their split. And delaying the inevitable might only make things worse. 4 The Self Financial survey found that 86% of couples have clashed over cash — and for about 4 in 10, money drama was the dealbreaker. Konstantin Postumitenko 'While that may seem like a smart move at the moment, the longer the separation can be kicked down the road, it can actually produce bigger, more complicated financial issues,' Beene told the outlet. 'The economic outlook of both individuals gets more intertwined.' Bottom line? Love may not cost a thing — but a breakup sure does.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Gen Z fears a recession — and smart ways to protect their finances
Making six figures should feel like financial freedom — but for one 26-year-old posting to Reddit, it's a source of stress as fears of a looming recession weigh heavily on her. Despite earning a $100K salary, having just $2,500 in monthly expenses, fully paid-off student loans, $7,500 in savings and $40,000 in a 401(k), this Gen Zer, or Zoomer, is still concerned about how a downturn could impact her finances — and how she can stay stable if the economy takes a turn for the worse. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it She's not alone. An Ipsos poll released on April 2 revealed that 61% of Americans believe the U.S. will experience a recession within the next year. There are many reasons why so many people fear an economic downturn — and why this young person is panicking about the potential fallout. The good news is that there are ways Zoomers and other young adults can prepare for a potential recession and protect their long-term financial health. One of the main drivers of today's recession fears is President Trump's tariff policy — especially the introduction of taxes on goods imported into the United States. Tariffs have become such a major concern that financial firm J.P. Morgan initially estimated the probability of a recession at 40% in late March. However, after Trump announced widespread tariffs would go into effect on dozens of countries — and after several of those countries, including China, began to retaliate — J.P. Morgan raised its estimate to 60%. The stock market responded by plunging, spooked by fears of rising costs and a potential trade war. This volatility led JP Morgan and others to warn of broader consequences, not just for the U.S. economy but also for global markets. Beyond tariffs, Americans are also concerned about a recession due to ongoing economic uncertainty. The Trump administration has promoted itself as a change administration, pushing for massive cuts to the federal workforce — changes that could have ripple effects across the broader economy. Even though the President announced a 90-day pause on tariffs, save for China, recession concerns continue. The back-and-forth over trade policy has only added more uncertainty, making it difficult for consumers and businesses to plan for the future. Read more: The US stock market's 'fear gauge' has exploded — but this 1 'shockproof' asset is up 14% and helping American retirees stay calm. Here's how to own it ASAP The U.S. has been through many recessions in the past, but most young adults haven't lived through a major one. While the economy briefly entered a recession from February to April of 2020, that was a unique situation driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Government stimulus packages helped soften the financial blow for many Americans. Before COVID, the last major downturn was the Great Recession, which lasted from December 2007 to June 2009. That 18-month crisis was triggered by a collapse in U.S. housing prices, a surge in foreclosures and a global financial meltdown driven by poorly underwritten mortgages packaged into risky mortgage-backed securities. As a result, many Zoomers haven't lived through a serious recession as adults. While their concern is understandable, there are several proactive steps young adults can take to shore up their finances including: Build an emergency fund with six to 12 months of living expenses — more than the customary three to six months — to create a stronger buffer. Make yourself indispensable at work by improving your performance, taking on new responsibilities and showing your value to your employer. Build your professional network and develop new skills in case you need to look for new opportunities. Explore passive income or side hustles to bring in more income and protect yourself against job loss. Creating a bare-bones budget you can live on if necessary, cutting non-essentials to stretch your savings. Free up cash to for investing during a downturn. Recessions often lead to lower stock prices, allowing long-term investors to buy the dip. Hold your investments for the long term. Avoid panic-selling during a downtown; staying the course gives you the best chance to benefit from the eventual recovery. By taking these steps, you can increase your chances of not only weathering a recession but coming out strong on the other side. With careful planning and strategic investing, downturns can become opportunities to grow your wealth and build long-term financial security. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Sign in to access your portfolio
