Before children arrive, many couples want to get over things like moving to a bigger home or buying a family car. And nowadays, there are more and more married couples – even of mixed nationality – who are considering settling in a country after the arrival of the child, where the political system favors families, and the education system is adapted to the needs of the present.
Where is the best place to be a child today?
In its 2023 global survey, US News asked 17,000 people about how satisfied they are with the conditions for raising children in their country. Respondents had to give their opinion on eight factors. They had to classify the country they live in according to the following criteria: human rights, gender equality, income equality, security, development of the public education system, development of the public health system, family-friendly, happiness. Based on these, the following countries finished first.
1. Sweden
Swedish society is fundamentally characterized by openness and child-centeredness. In Sweden, parents are entitled to 480 days of paid maternity leave upon the birth or adoption of a child. The parents can take this out in equal proportion – that is, they can each spend 240 days at home with their little one. The Swedes believe that the best way to shape society is through education, which is why they spend a lot of money on it.
Children’s education is free for parents: not only textbooks, but also all devices (laptops, tablets), meals and trips are paid for from the state budget. Swedish education is primarily experience-based, less emphasis is placed on subject knowledge, and more emphasis is placed on skill development.
2. Norway
In Norway, parents can choose to take 49 weeks of leave after the birth of the child, during which they receive their full salary, or 59 weeks of maternity leave, during which they receive 80% of their salary. The Norwegian education system, like Sweden’s, is completely free. At school, the emphasis is placed on getting to know the world, they focus on knowledge that can be applied in everyday life. The basic principle of education here is equality, the child is not stressed, and the word competition is almost completely unknown to them.
3. Finland
In Finland, mothers can take 40 working days of paid leave during pregnancy and 160 working days of leave for both parents after the arrival of the baby. This must be taken out until the child is two years old – that is, the parents typically take turns during the months spent at home with the child. In the Finnish education system, only higher education is paid.
Photo: Westend61 / Getty Images Hungary
It is characteristic of the schools that the individual needs and abilities of the children are taken into account to the maximum extent. There are no restrictions on teachers either: they can choose the textbooks, teaching aids, and pedagogical method they use.
4. Denmark
In Denmark, both parents are entitled to 24 weeks of paid parental leave after the arrival of the baby, and another 4 weeks before the expected date of birth. During education in Denmark, the goal is not only to prepare for exams, children are primarily taught to think. In addition, both from a psychological and pedagogical point of view, the teachers consider it extremely important that the students feel good while completing the tasks. And singing and exercising in the open air are part of everyday school life. Education for independence and the “trust yourself” approach pervade their entire education system.
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The challenges of motherhood without frosting
Femina Klub guest in June Eszter Ráskó will be a comedian with whom Nora Szily, the hostess of the evenings, among other things, talks about the challenges of motherhood and femininity. Is there a recipe for parenting? Why is the myth of the perfect mother so harmful? How can women arm themselves against the norms of the 21st century through self-identity and self-assurance?
More details: femina.hu/feminaklub
Tickets are only available onlinein limited quantities.
Date: June 3, 2024, 6 p.m
Location: Thalia Theater
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5. The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, one parent is entitled to 26 weeks of parental leave after the birth of a child. Of these, nine weeks are paid leave. The other parent receives 6 weeks of paid leave, which must be taken within six months of the baby’s birth. In Dutch education, critical thinking and cooperation, encouraging children, play an important role. In education, the emphasis is not on material knowledge, but rather on the development of skills and thinking together.
The world’s happiest children live here: what do the Dutch know?
90% of Dutch children said they were satisfied with their lives.
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(Images: Getty Images Hungary)
