The Determinants of Muslim Women’s Happiness in Indonesia: An Analysis of the World Values Survey Data.

Abstract

In measuring welfare, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as an economic indicator is considered to be less representative of the society’s welfare in a country as a whole. Therefore, other indicators are needed to measure welfare, including happiness. In achieving happiness, women still face much discrimination and the role of women in bearing the double burden makes women vulnerable to depression. Thus, this study aims to determine what factors influence the happiness of Muslim women in Indonesia. This study is expected to be able to become a consideration in public decision-making and national development to minimize inequality that occurs based on gender. The data of this study used World Values Survey Wave 7 data and were analyzed using the ordinal logistic regression method. This research produced several findings, increasing age decreases the happiness of Muslim women. Meanwhile, marital status and increased income scale increase the chances of Muslim women to be happy. While involvement and participation in politics decrease a Muslim woman’s chances of being happy. Meanwhile, democratic cultural values also do not affect women’s happiness because the government has not been optimal in deciding policies based on the public’s welfare. Meanwhile, from the aspects of religiosity, which is reflected in the activity of Muslim women in the mosque and religious obedience also has the opportunity to increase happiness.