Life for Children in the Nordic Countries: Legal, Material, and Cultural Perspectives

The Nordic Countries: Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden are often praised for their high standard of living, which is reflected in the quality of life for their children. This article explores what life is like for children in these countries, examining the legal frameworks, material needs, cultural aspects, and personal perspectives.

Legislation and Rights

Finland, as a Nordic country, takes the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child seriously, prioritizing children and ensuring their needs are met across all levels of society. When making decisions, especially those affecting children, the well-being and rights of children must be considered.

Some key examples of legal rights and obligations in Finland include:

7 years: Children have the right to free education. 12 years: Children must be allowed to choose their own religious community or decide whether to meet their parents if they are divorced. 14 years: Children may work a few hours a day, provided it does not harm them. 15 years: Children can work more hours, sign employment contracts, open bank accounts, drive mopeds, and join religions independently. This is also the age of majority for legal responsibility. 16 years: This is the age of sexual consent in Finland, and children can drive motorcycles. 17 years: Compulsory education ends, and child benefits are discontinued. 18 years: Children become legal adults with all associated responsibilities and rights.

Material Needs and Welfare State

Finland’s commitment to ensuring the material needs of all children is evident in several ways:

Taxation is relatively high to finance income redistribution and services such as free education and universal healthcare. Over 79% of Finns are willing to pay their taxes, believing in the benefits they receive in return.

Children benefit from:

Education: All schools are of high quality, ensuring children have access to comprehensive education without financial barriers. Healthcare: Medical bills are minimal, and major operations are covered, preventing bankruptcy. Benefits: Families receive support through maternity, paternity, and parental allowances, which help them combine work and family life. Benefits like unemployment, housing, and sickness allowances also assist in caring for children.

The impact of the generous welfare state includes reduced crime rates and increased social mobility, making it safe for children to walk to school and play unsupervised from an early age.

Cultural Perspectives

The Finnish culture is characterized by a balance of strong institutional solidarity, a welfare state with almost universal legitimacy, and individualism. Children are encouraged to be independent early on. For instance, children may start school at 7 years when both parents work long hours, relying on mobile phones to contact parents after school.

A unique aspect of Finnish culture is appearing socially introverted compared to other cultures, where children are showered with positive attention from strangers. In Finland, people tend to mind their own business, leading children to receive positive feedback mainly from parents, grandparents, and family friends.

Personal Experiences: As a Mother

As a mother of two children, I have experienced both the advantages and challenges of life in the Nordic countries. Spending five years at home with my kids, enabled by social benefits, was enriching. We valued the quality education available, especially when it focuses on creativity and play rather than rote learning.

We live in a relatively cheap neighborhood in Helsinki, where we are pleased with the quality education our children receive. The safety and cleanliness of the environment allow them to explore freely, from building huts in the forest to enjoying the outdoors.

Healthcare is another blessing. My daughter received excellent care during a major operation; the entire process was smoothly handled and affordable, with only a nominal cost.

While I am grateful for the societal support that ensures children's rights and well-being, I sometimes feel that the excessive institutional care can lead to other issues. My daughter, when a baby, tried to share her smile with strangers on the subway. The rejection she faced was heartbreaking, as it is less common in Latin America or Africa.

Despite the many benefits, I feel a profound sense of loss for the abundant expressions of joy from adults that children enjoy elsewhere. I firmly believe in the saying 'I it takes a village to raise a child', and while this is internalized in legislation, it is essential for daily life.