What else...and it's Snowing!
First off, the exciting news is that it is the day after Halloween and it began snowing this morning! There is a white blanket, lots of wind gusts and general blusteriness in the air. It is exciting and a bit nerve racking. There is so much winter attire to acquire here. The amazing amount of rain gear and snow gear the children need. We are also in the midst of buying a stroller with winter equipment which is a cozy down sleeping bag that fits in the stroller and a rain guard that covers the entire stroller. I think we are also going to get a double stroller with the same equipment. It is interesting to not have a car and live in a city. The stroller becomes your car, of sorts. Anyways, we will keep you informed on our vinter (winter in Swedish) escapades.
Two things are on my mind: Children and Dual incomes.
So, this is definitely not a ploy for donations, but I thought I would share the economic aspect of living here. The cost of food and clothing is about double that in the U.S. There are lots of "Made in China" things that are about the same as at home. But, to buy shoes, strollers, clothes, bicycles, just everyday stuff and definitely food is all about twice the cost at home. It is also, more unusual than in the U.S. to not have a dual income. There are long parental leaves for child birth and incredible benefits for disability so their is definitely two incomes in almost all households. If one is at home with a baby even for a year, or year and a half they are still receiving their entire paycheck until they return. So, the society works with dual incomes. That is how it is structured and that is the expectation.
The dual income family in the U.S. seems need based. Although our government does not foster this in it's system, the reality is most families have 2 incomes. Why are we not recognizing and accommodating this for today's families? In Sweden, it is an integral part of their society. It is expected that both parents work. Then, they provide for this structure in government through affordable child care, job security, extended parental leave for child birth and disability, available and free health care and free education (all education including university is totally free). I think that is why there are so many women in science here. The system expects women to remain in the workforce and fosters a family in which that can happen. Women have equal access to education, so will have a career, and then have the infrastructure to remain in the workforce during their childrearing years. This is so huge to not have to decide on a career or family, but to have both!
Also, not to gloss over that this is a socialist society with huge taxes. So, it is not a fantasyland where you keep all of your paycheck and get so much back from the government. Low income pay 30% in income tax. Food is taxed at 12% and non-food items at 25%. But, there wages are higher than in the U.S. so I think it evens out.
Another note is on the safety factor with children here. I was walking Saniya to school the other day because Rob went to work early. I noticed all of the children going to the elementary school across the street. They were all walking into the school without parents. They were getting off the bus or walking from their house alone. These were young kids, like 6-8 years old. I don't remember that in the U.S. It felt like when we were growing up and had more freedom to play outside alone. The long car line to drop off and pick up your child here, I think, would be unheard of. Kind of different. It made me like the idea of raising my children in a culture that feels safe and fosters that in children.
So, take care everyone and enjoy the Fall! I think our Fall may be over and Winter has begun! We'll see....
Yasmiene
Two things are on my mind: Children and Dual incomes.
So, this is definitely not a ploy for donations, but I thought I would share the economic aspect of living here. The cost of food and clothing is about double that in the U.S. There are lots of "Made in China" things that are about the same as at home. But, to buy shoes, strollers, clothes, bicycles, just everyday stuff and definitely food is all about twice the cost at home. It is also, more unusual than in the U.S. to not have a dual income. There are long parental leaves for child birth and incredible benefits for disability so their is definitely two incomes in almost all households. If one is at home with a baby even for a year, or year and a half they are still receiving their entire paycheck until they return. So, the society works with dual incomes. That is how it is structured and that is the expectation.
The dual income family in the U.S. seems need based. Although our government does not foster this in it's system, the reality is most families have 2 incomes. Why are we not recognizing and accommodating this for today's families? In Sweden, it is an integral part of their society. It is expected that both parents work. Then, they provide for this structure in government through affordable child care, job security, extended parental leave for child birth and disability, available and free health care and free education (all education including university is totally free). I think that is why there are so many women in science here. The system expects women to remain in the workforce and fosters a family in which that can happen. Women have equal access to education, so will have a career, and then have the infrastructure to remain in the workforce during their childrearing years. This is so huge to not have to decide on a career or family, but to have both!
Also, not to gloss over that this is a socialist society with huge taxes. So, it is not a fantasyland where you keep all of your paycheck and get so much back from the government. Low income pay 30% in income tax. Food is taxed at 12% and non-food items at 25%. But, there wages are higher than in the U.S. so I think it evens out.
Another note is on the safety factor with children here. I was walking Saniya to school the other day because Rob went to work early. I noticed all of the children going to the elementary school across the street. They were all walking into the school without parents. They were getting off the bus or walking from their house alone. These were young kids, like 6-8 years old. I don't remember that in the U.S. It felt like when we were growing up and had more freedom to play outside alone. The long car line to drop off and pick up your child here, I think, would be unheard of. Kind of different. It made me like the idea of raising my children in a culture that feels safe and fosters that in children.
So, take care everyone and enjoy the Fall! I think our Fall may be over and Winter has begun! We'll see....
Yasmiene
posted by Yaz and Rob at 9:22 AM
1 Comments:
We have had crispy grass in the morning, if that counts for anything.....I like that a woman doesn't really have to decide whether she wants to pursue a career or raise the kids. What a concept....I have been feeling silly lately about being an over-educated house-frau, but I did read Sam a book before nap about electricity....I could almost explain his questions to him....score 1 for me!
Stay Cozy!
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