Why Finland and Denmark are happier than the United States

[Deleted member 11413]

Can't be worse than racism in the US

Click to shrink...

I don't know, is it worse when the racism exists but no one acknowledges it or gives a voice to its victims? Or when racism is at the forefront of society at all times, but those impacted by it have their voices more readily heard and have more of an impact in the society overall?

I legitimately can't answer that, but I do know that racism is equally prevalent and serious in virtually every country on this earth. Some places are just more honest about it (or rather, unable to obfuscate or hide it).

None of that negates the progress of most Nordic countries though. Their reforms and societies SHOULD be looked at aspirationally, because they produce better outcomes. The challenge is in achieving those same reforms in places that are less homogenous.

 

[Deleted member 11413]

I wish we could turn California into Finland.

Click to shrink...

California could really use a Nordic approach to criminal justice. For such a nominally 'liberal' state it is one of the worst carceral states in the entire nation.

And that's not even getting into housing issues and homelessness (though obviously all these issues are connected.

 

[Deleted member 14459]

The Danish empire was engaged in the Atlantic slave trade as late as 1848 after the British empire had already pulled out.

Click to shrink...

Yes - I will repeat my question in a form of a question: Is your claim that relatively speaking the Nordic countries have engaged more in colonialism and relatively benefited more of appropriation by disposession in the Global South than some "Western Country X" and that this would somehow be an explicating factor for relative position in a "happiness index"?

To me your argument seems to amount to "well they have not built their positions in the index outside of capitalism and capital accumulation", which seems a rather superfluous statement.

 

[Xando]

a single state in the us(Texas) is twice the size of Germany.

Click to shrink...

And yet the rural/urbanized discussion is nearly the same in both countries. Size is not nearly as big as a issue as americans like to think.

 

[Kaversmed]

I think it would be a great start for the US to have a unified health care system. You have no idea what huge relief having a safety net like that is.

 

[Jegriva]

Finland has a suicide rate comparable to the US, tho.

 

[Jegriva]

That doesn't make racism disappear, which is what the post I replied implies. Despite all the racism within Switzerland the social state is still decades ahead of US.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, there is discrimination even between italian-speaking Swiss and Northern Italians... and they are basically the same fucking people.

 

[Zolbrod]

I don't know, is it worse when the racism exists but no one acknowledges it or gives a voice to its victims? Or when racism is at the forefront of society at all times, but those impacted by it have their voices more readily heard and have more of an impact in the society overall?

Click to shrink...

I would personally say that having actual detention centers at the border where innocent immigrants are dying is worse than that, yes.

 

[Pottuvoi]

Free cardboard box baby crib
🤯

Click to shrink...

Yup, it's awesome.
Birth of a baby is strenuous and overwhelming enough without having to worry about the absolute necessities.

It's also good to note that every baby gets the box and the clothes and items within are good quality. (The snowsuit/sleeping bag is brilliant when baby sleeps outside in carriage/stroller.)

 

[Malovis]

Nah guys, Finland is a horrible place, just stay in US.

 

[Donos]

While these countries are awesome (Sweden too) and do a lot of things the right way, it's always a bit iffy comparing them to the US, with 130 Million more inhabitants (than whole Scandinavia together) in certain things.

 

[Mendrox]

But America has guns and shit. Checkmate.

 

[Deleted member 21469]

I would personally say that having actual detention centers at the border where innocent immigrants are dying is worse than that, yes.

Click to shrink...

Europe just has North African countries maintain its detention centres.

 

[Hitmeneer]

The Nordic countries are basically what happens when white privilege becomes an entire country. They profit on the backs of other countries and all the white people get to reap the rewards.

Click to shrink...

Ah yes, the USA, the one and only country that definitely did not get build on the backs of other countries or of slaves..... /s

Like many western countries, the Nordic countries profited of the backs of other countries, but that is definitely NOT the reason why they are happier than the USA. As they both practiced the same exploitation of other countries, it has something to do with maybe their social - economic system? Social democratic policies vs hardcore capitalism?

 

[Tennis]

Of course there are many problems in Finland but free public healthcare and education should be basic human rights.

 

[Good4Squat]

We have problems like any country. But I'm still glad that we have the safety nets in place that we have. Hope more places in the world get something similar soon.

 

[Sloth Guevara]

I keep having this nagging thought that that kind of cultural happiness isn't possible in a multicultural society. We reap the benefits of a large, broad workforce with different views but underneath it all we just aren't willing to help those that differ too much from us.

Before it was all race based and it still kind of is but now it's probably equally class based as well. We just don't trust our neighbors the way a homogenous society does.

Click to shrink...

Sweden has a 30% part of the population being none white.

 

[TheHunter]

This is a great video that was posted just a couple hours ago:

https://youtu.be/6Pm0Mn0-jYU

- Giving birth it's almost free. Hospital treats you like royalty. You get a free box packed with 63 items for the baby's first year.
- Generous parental leave (10 months)
- People are not punished for taking breaks to change careers
- Higher taxes, but that means free education (college) and healthcare
- Low crime rates
- Wealth is balanced (not too many rich people, no extreme poverty)
- Better work/life balance

Watching it makes me depressed about how fucked up the US is. Healthcare, education, social security.... to think people used to believe the US was the best country to migrate to. This could be farther from the truth now.

Click to shrink...

They are also very homogeneous.

So you know. Don't look at Denmark's definition for a ghetto either.

 

[Sampson]

This is a great video that was posted just a couple hours ago:

https://youtu.be/6Pm0Mn0-jYU

- Giving birth it's almost free. Hospital treats you like royalty. You get a free box packed with 63 items for the baby's first year.
- Generous parental leave (10 months)

Click to shrink...

These are nice, but don't really make sense.

The birth rate in Denmark and Finland is low; lower than the US. If having kids is a pleasant experience in these countries, why aren't couples having more of them?

 

[Kyougar]

*sigh*

I only ever hear "But it is not possible in the US because [...]" for EVERY issue the US has.
Healthcare, Incarceration, Guns, murderous cops, Prison system, Voting system, Railways, freaking Imperial system, Sidewalks, Education, etc.
Defeatist from the start.

 

[T002 Tyrant]

me too bro

Click to shrink...

I mean California could try and become a separate country 😄

 

[Infinity Times Two]

These are nice, but don't really make sense.

The birth rate in Denmark and Finland is low; lower than the US. If having kids is a pleasant experience in these countries, why aren't couples having more of them?

Click to shrink...

Maybe because having kids is not vital to personal happiness if the country is already pretty happy.

This is anecdotal but as a scandinavian, I know plenty of people who are not at all interested in having kids.

 

[Deleted member 2809]

- no guns
- healthcare

It's not rocket science

 

[DavidDesu]

America is so bizarre. People go mad at the thought of taxes but seemingly happy with huge charges for healthcare thanks to being so incensed at paying a bit of their wages in tax which, as all evidence shows with a decent system, would be far cheaper for them. People also MAD that you dare take away their rights to be shafted by huge soulless evil corporations.

Also shame on all of you trying to somehow pardon the USA here and make excuses. I'm pretty sure most economists would say smaller systems are actually more costly to operate per head than a larger system. Setting up healthcare for a couple million people will cost more per head than a system serving tens of millions, surely supply and demand and costs go down with larger systems. Also any arguments about cost are null and void give the fact the US system actually costs your government MORE to operate than most other countries with far worse results and people still needing to pay huge sums. The only winner big pharma and health insurance. Like get a grip.

 

[Sampson]

Maybe because having kids is not vital to personal happiness if the country is already pretty happy.

This is anecdotal but as a scandinavian, I know plenty of people who are not at all interested in having kids.

Click to shrink...

Sure. But what does that have to do with anything?

The OP made the claim that the benefits given to new parents was a major factor contributing to the happiness gap between the US and Finland/Denmark.

I don't think there's any evidence for that.

 

[Deleted member 4552]

lol what a lie some Europeans believe

Click to shrink...

No European believes that.

We're so good at racism we don't even need people to be a different colour to be racist to them.

 

[Sloth Guevara]

These are nice, but don't really make sense.

The birth rate in Denmark and Finland is low; lower than the US. If having kids is a pleasant experience in these countries, why aren't couples having more of them?

Click to shrink...

For real. Is this sarcasm cause I honestly can't tell.

 

[DavidDesu]

lol what a lie some Europeans believe

Click to shrink...

I see far less minorities straight up murdered by cowardly police who then get paid time off and get away with it over here than over there. There it seems to be a fucking "Achivement Unlocked" for your fucking police, and society just keeps letting it fly. When things like that do happen over here it's usually treated as the huge story it is.

 

[Infinity Times Two]

Sure. But what does that have to do with anything?

The OP made the claim that the benefits given to new parents was a major factor contributing to the happiness gap between the US and Finland/Denmark.

I don't think there's any evidence for that.

Click to shrink...

I don't see any conflict in there. For those that desire to have kids, knowing that you're not going to be sucked dry financially for one of if not the biggest events of your life can boost happiness stats.

But the choice of not having kids is more about the current life situation (such as general happiness) rather than practical matters.

 

[hiredhand]

- no guns
- healthcare

It's not rocket science

Click to shrink...

This not really true.

Finland is 10th on the global list of estimated number of privately-owned guns per 100 persons. Of course, the difference to US is still huge: 120.5 vs. 32.4.

 

[uzipukki]

These are nice, but don't really make sense.

The birth rate in Denmark and Finland is low; lower than the US. If having kids is a pleasant experience in these countries, why aren't couples having more of them?

Click to shrink...

This has to be sarcasm..

 

[Tacitus]

Size is a huge issue. It creates a divide between rural and urban that is impossible in Europe. It also makes infrastructure changes exponentially more expensive and promotes continuity above change.

Click to shrink...

Please.

 

[Artdayne]

The Nordic countries are basically what happens when white privilege becomes an entire country. They profit on the backs of other countries and all the white people get to reap the rewards.

Click to shrink...

This is as much of a critique on Capitalism as anything else.

 

[Lunchbox]

Bullshit anyone in Denmark or Finland are happier than me.

 

[behOemoth]

These are nice, but don't really make sense.

The birth rate in Denmark and Finland is low; lower than the US. If having kids is a pleasant experience in these countries, why aren't couples having more of them?

Click to shrink...

They are lower because the overall population lives wealthier. That's why birthrates decreased in industrialized countries and are decreasing sharply in other places.

 

[Francesco]

Finland has one of the highest suicide rates in the world.

 

[The Bear]

Finland has it's problems, but I do have lot of appreciation over the social welfare systems that we have. There are lot of safety nets that make sure everyone stays afloat to some degree.

 

[FlashChopCoffee]

- no guns

Click to shrink...

This. At least in Denmark's case.
Also healthcare.

 

[KillerMan91]

The Nordic countries are basically what happens when white privilege becomes an entire country. They profit on the backs of other countries and all the white people get to reap the rewards.

Click to shrink...

At least regarding of Finland you should study history a bit. We became independent only little over 100 years ago and before that suffered from colonialism under Russian Empire and before that under Swedish Empire. We also fought two deadly wars during second world war. Finland was basically poor developing country until 60s.

 

[Lashes.541]

I say California, Oregon and Washington need to start a new country! Won't fix most of the problems but it will probably fix some.😂

 

[Elfotografoalocado]

I keep having this nagging thought that that kind of cultural happiness isn't possible in a multicultural society. We reap the benefits of a large, broad workforce with different views but underneath it all we just aren't willing to help those that differ too much from us.

Before it was all race based and it still kind of is but now it's probably equally class based as well. We just don't trust our neighbors the way a homogenous society does.

Click to shrink...

It is certainly more difficult, because the dominant class doesn't want the benefits to go to those who are different. Case in point, the moment the Nordic countries have immigration, the social services have become much less of a priority and neo-Nazi parties are on the rise.

Sure but the real issue is that we dont trust taxes.

Click to shrink...

Probably because they go to "different" people...

 

[Lashes.541]

Finland has a suicide rate comparable to the US, tho.

Click to shrink...

That mostly has to do with being up north, i live in the pacific north west of America. Our suicide rate is the highest out of the country, and many city's here are some of the happiest in the USA. It gets to you when most of the year the sky is grey.

 

[FakePlasticTree]

Nothing's perfect, Denmark certainly isn't. It's still got lots of problems with racism even with its Social Democratic government, social dumping, education is free but entry requirements are strict and the waiting times to get surgery is unbearable sometimes. Honestly when I look at the United States I see a country that is a lot more accepting and open to people who are different which is based solely on the fact that the US is a melting pot of several cultures. Relative speaking, unless you live in the capital of Copenhagen, chances are you won't find as many people to be accepting of LGBT people or immigrants. Even with an extremely racist President such as Trump, I'd say the US is still better but then again it's a massive country too.

 

[Pand]

This notion that most Europeans think there's no racism in their countries is so ignorant. Also, the homogeneity of Europe is extremely exaggerated in threads like these. Almost like people are desperately looking for excuses for misplaced patriotism.

I also find the notion that multiculturalism somehow restrains happiness very suspect. It's basically an extreme-right talking point so I don't know why it's parotted so often.

 

[Deleted member 2809]

Honestly when I look at the United States I see a country that is a lot more accepting and open to people who are different which is based solely on the fact that the US is a melting pot of several cultures

Click to shrink...

Good one.

 

[Euler]

Nothing's perfect, Denmark certainly isn't. It's still got lots of problems with racism even with its Social Democratic government, social dumping, education is free but entry requirements are strict and the waiting times to get surgery is unbearable sometimes. Honestly when I look at the United States I see a country that is a lot more accepting and open to people who are different which is based solely on the fact that the US is a melting pot of several cultures. Relative speaking, unless you live in the capital of Copenhagen, chances are you won't find as many people to be accepting of LGBT people or immigrants. Even with an extremely racist President such as Trump, I'd say the US is still better but then again it's a massive country too.

Click to shrink...

You don't see police going around shooting minorities in the nordics.

 

[FakePlasticTree]

You don't see police going around shooting minorities in the nordics.

Click to shrink...

Nope, they just send them back home to their home countries and let someone else pull the trigger on them.

 

[Braag]

It's really good, the weather sucks tho.

 

[Chaos2Frozen]

These are nice, but don't really make sense.

The birth rate in Denmark and Finland is low; lower than the US. If having kids is a pleasant experience in these countries, why aren't couples having more of them?

Click to shrink...

...Because you're still left with a kid afterwards?

 

[Rodrigues solitaire]

COME TO EUROPE NO RACISM EVERYONES HAPPY WE CALL SOCCER FOOTBALL!

Click to shrink...

Managed to shit up the thread with something not even related to the OP six posts in, bravo.