Emphasis on Family Vitality in GNH: A Study in Bangladesh Perspective

Abstract

The article critically analyses how family value in Bangladesh is ignored for keeping its sole focus on gaining economic growth and reveals the relevance of the Bhutanese philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH) that suggests keeping a balance between development and value. In so doing, both qualitative and quantitative methodologies have been applied to collect the relevant data. A survey on twenty-five scholarly participants- teachers from universities and colleges, PhD and Mphil researchers, lawyers– has been conducted with structured questionnaires substantiated by qualitative interview of seven Social Science faculty members – five from Dhaka University and two from two different private Universities of Bangladesh- with semi- structured questionnaires. Moreover, a robust content analysis of the relevant secondary data i.e., books, articles, newspaper reports, have also been analyzed carefully to ensure the reliability and validity of the collected data. This study argues that Bhutan has been a glaring example of how both spiritual and material advancement can be ensured simultaneously that starts flourishing from a harmonious family relationship. And the study findings can be beneficial for the concerned policy makers of Bangladesh to adopt more effective and time-worthy policies to protect the country’s declined social values in line with economic growth taking insights from Bhutan’s GNH in different degrees.