Objective or subjective well-being?

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the objective-subjective debate in defining and measuring child well-being. It starts by outlining the underlying philosophical perspectives and how this is reflected practically in conceptual and policy frameworks for child well-being. Particular attention is paid to the concepts of outcomes and risk and protective factors. This is followed by an analysis of approaches to measuring objective and subjective well-being. There is a focus on the use of standardized measures, illustrated by a brief case study of the application of such an approach. Next, the chapter considers some of the connections and contradictions between objective and subjective accounts of children’s lives. It then considers the functions of objective and subjective well-being data in policy and practice and how these can be enhanced. The final section includes observations about where the debate on objective vs. subjective well-being is heading and what this means for research, policy, and practice.