I told Lion yesterday about those babies being left in the strollers outside cafe`s in Scandinavia/Iceland, and I also said (rather seriously) I wouldn't want to offend anyone if this practice of leaving young children alone is cultural.
But that article you posted there has me FURIOUS. Cultural or not, it's wrong.
MG
I really feel as though I have to jump in here as a Norwegian.
Mrs G728, this is not directed at you, I just used your post to quote since it is the last one.
My American family and friends are visibly and verbally in shock and disbelief when they visit regarding various child rearing practices here.
My Norwegian/Scandinavian and most European friends are in the same visible and verbal disbelief when they visit the USA.
This naturally creates a great deal of discussion after vacations and dinner conversation for a long time after.
Iceland is a country of less than 300,000 people. It is an island with only one airport. Most of the Icelandic people are related to each other for generations. They have very, large extended families. They all look out for one another. Tourism has only really become an influence within the last decade, and is not very large at that. The Icelandic language is not widely spoken outside Iceland... difficult to learn without an accent and everyone knows who is an outsider. The airport has few daily flights to limited places and is located outside the capital. And yes, Iceland is green.
Greenland, which is governed by Denmark is very icy. Just a little background. Crime is extremely rare. Yes,babies are left to sleep in the daytime to sleep in their prams out side the house. In the past couple of years, baby monitors have begun to be used...but not widely.
This is so very true here in Norway, as well as Sweden. And I can go on and on. Yes, there is an underlying cultural difference. Yes,it is more than likely a sense of false security (think the USA in the fifties). Things are changing..but not fast. There has been no child snatching, only maybe one or two stranger murders and possible 35 murders per yr- in a bad year- and family or foreigner gang related.
When Scandinavians visit the states, they are shocked by the gun laws., the school mass murders, the non family crime, the missing people and on and on. They see schools with metal detectors, security guards and police everywhere--especially disturbed by security at schools--and guns, drugs, rapes, wacko teachers, wacko religious leaders, wacko politicians-- on and on. The sense is of a non-healthy, troubled , chaotic and dangerous place to raise children or to grow up.
I am not passing judgment. Just felt like I needed to put in my two cents. Our country is not perfect by any means....mainly different problems--binge drinking amongst adults for one. You drive over the limit, which is less than one light beer, you loose your license for a year with a heavy fine. Legal driving age is 18, yet costs about 9,000 USD to get (if you pass the first time) and in most families, the children pay. They are independent at 18, so therefore do not get their license until they earn the money themselves....and to buy a car is cost prohibited---teens do not drive drunk is basically what I was trying to get at.
Well, that was quite a ramble and a bit off topic.
It is 7am here and it is the 17 Mai--our independence day. Getting ready for the festivities and the parades.
Will address issue in Portugal and contained holiday resorts later--if there is any interest. As I have already stated here in WS, I work with Save the Children in this particular re for years.
:dance::dance::dance: But time to celebrate here.
My thoughts and prayers are with Maddie and her family today. As I see all the children enjoying the celebrations today, I only so wish all children everywhere can be as fortunate and as happy as our little Norwegian ones will be today. It is just so terribly sad that so many families and children will not be rejoicing for way too many reasons
