Given the current environment surrounding the women's health care

[saracat]

and the question of fairness in medical care for women, I suggest that feminist inclined women investigate moving to Sweden when possible. It seems so very sad the the US remains as backward as it is.And that we seem intent on keeping it that way.We are just 17th, just above Costa Rica as a nation best for women.


http://www.marieclaire.com/world-reports/news/international/best-country

In fact, a 2005 report by the World Economic Forum found this Scandinavian nation to be the world's "most advanced country" for women, with greater levels of equality, power, health, and well-being among women than anywhere else. (The survey ranked the U.S. an abysmal 17th place — one above Costa Rica.)

Relaxing with coworkers at an exclusive spa to celebrate her 25th birthday, Ebba sips champagne while explaining that Sweden's pro-female culture has helped her achieve her dreams. "I have a fantastic life and a job I love. Women here are judged on their talents, not their gender," she says. "If you're good at what you do, you can get to the top very fast."

Sweden, which has a population of 9 million — around the same as the state of New Jersey — has a long history of female-friendly policies. The government gave women equal rights to inherit property way back in 1845; in 1901, it introduced the world's first formalized maternity-leave program. In 1958, the Swedish Lutheran church changed its doctrine to permit women to become priests. And today, female politicians make up around half of the Swedish parliament.

The goal of equality starts young: "Anti-Sexism Awareness Training" begins in kindergarten, where male toddlers are encouraged to play with dolls, and females with toy tractors. In school, classes in cooking, sewing, metalworking, and woodworking are compulsory for both sexes. All education, including college, is free, and girls routinely outperform boys; in 2005, women made up more than 60 percent of all Swedish college students. All this adds up to more flexible gender roles later: As one Swedish website puts it, "In our country, women drive the buses and men push the baby buggies."

[saracat]

1. Seriously, folks would unrec an article about a nation that is number one for women?

Really?

[Quantess]

10. It's probably because the unrec'ers don't want to move to Sweden, as your post suggests.

[Kitty Herder]

2. Don't think I haven't considered moving to Sweden. ;-)

We could learn a lot from them.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

4. me too

what you said!

[saracat]

5. if I were younger and had contacts and money I would be on a

plane. I don't even mind the cold! If i had a daughter, I'd put her on a plane.I can't even believe what is considered acceptable anymore. it seems all the battles of the 1970's have to be re fought.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

3. I heard this too, and then saw a discouraging clip from Elle magazine

The Elle magazine article had a mocking tone that I didn't like at all.

Marvelous--a women's magazine disparaging respect for women. Fuck. Talk about internalized self-loathing.

Oh right, I forgot....women's magazines act as if that's their prime directive. Keep women weak and focused on trivialities: kinder, kirshe, kuchen...and acting the temptress. Not that there's anything wrong with those interests, per se. But the avoidance of serious issues is very unbalanced and does us harm. (Oh wait, they do focus on one serious issue ad nauseam: lady specific health worries, which the ladies rags seem quite interested in---along with substantial pharmaceutical advertising)


maybe saw the clip here at DU...

[Nikki Stone1]

7. Who runs Elle? This might give you a clue as to why they do this.

I don't know. Just asking.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

12. me either...don't know.

I don't know if I'd call it a headquarters' conspiracy though. I think it may be obedience to advertisers' interests, plus being in creative/intellectual default mode: doing it the way it's always been done. Following the formula. Giving the market what it wants, and the "common knowledge" that women only have those narrow interests.....

hmmmm, the tone in the Elle article, mocking the Swedish attitudes.... don't know where that would come from, aside from knee-jerk impulses (kind of like young women now who mock feminism, or distance themselves from it.)

ehh, just speculating -- stream of consciousness style..... :shrug:

[emilyg]

6. k

[waiting for hope]

8. K&R

I discovered a few years ago I am of Swedish descent .. but I would have to exit during the winter to the southern parts of Europe, my blood has become used to warmer climates, but other than that, I would if I could. Thanks saracat, I don't think people realize that this isn't the greatest country, not by a long shot.

[proudohioan]

9. Ah, it makes me envious......

and hell, I live in Cleveland, brutal winters are nothing new!

Thanks for the interesting post. I guess that I can dream......

[Jamastiene]

11. K&R

America could learn a few lessons from Sweden in this area as well as in other areas.

[laughingliberal]

13. K & R nt