Chapters

Each chapter asks challenging questions. The aim is for readers to reflect on their beliefs about the world and themselves in it. We put life into perspective – what do we hope to leave behind for future generations and why should that matter for us now. Although every chapter is based in a similar set of principles underpinned by solid evidence, we make clear what every one of us can do and how we might work together to create the world we want to live in.

The chapters have an ecological framework. We begin with what happens for individual children, moving onto the world outside the family – to the influences on beliefs and policies, and how this creates the culture of society.

There wasn’t space in the book to provide references and sources for each statement, quotation, or fact. The fully referenced draft chapters had up to 60 references – an extra 1,000 words. In each chapter we provide selected key sources that support the evidence provided.

The links below lead to the abstract for each chapter, with onward links for each chapter to the extended lists of references and key sources, and links to relevant resources, videos, podcasts, websites:

IntroductionVanessa King & Felicia Huppert

What makes for a good life?

1: ChildhoodSue Roffey
2: EducationSue Roffey
3: WorkVanessa King
4: AgeingBridget Grenville-Cleave

The foundations of everyday flourishing

5: RelationshipsSue Roffey
6: HealthFelicia Huppert, Dóra Guðmundsdóttir & Marten de Vries
7: Community – Marten de Vries
8: Leisure – Bridget Grenville-Cleave & Sue Roffey

The world around us

9: Media – Marten de Vries
10: SocietySue Roffey & Felicia Huppert
11: EconomicsDavid Roffey
12: PoliticsBridget Grenville-Cleave, Felicia Huppert & David Roffey
13: EnvironmentFelicia Huppert
ConclusionFelicia Huppert & Vanessa King
Acknowledgements