Sweden is already miles ahead in terms of paid parental leave and child care, and they’re not slowing down. The Nordic country has passed a law that allows new parents to transfer a portion of their paid child care benefits to grandparents who step in to help in those early days and months. Swedish parents are allowed 480 days of paid leave per child. This new law allows them to transfer 45 days of that leave to a grandparent, or 90 days if you’re a single parent. Not to mention, studies show that children grow up happier if grandparents are involved in their upbringing. After all, it takes a village! Oxford University and the Institute of Education found that the emotional support that grandparents give to children is vital. When families come together to raise children, they feel happy, secure and supported. Share the responsibilities. Share the benefits. Bravo, Sweden 👏
We could achieve that here. If we do things like: * Adopt there level of total tax revenue as % of GDP (2nd only to Denmark) * Fix the US' per capita debt ratio (5x higher than Sweden) * Add a broad national VAT * Make our tax system more progressive at lower income levels that it currently is. It doesn't come for free. The US has maxed out its credit cards, keeps taking out second loans<g>, accumulates debt like a rocket (we're at ~$35T now), with a population that feels its grossly over-taxed as it is (i.e. not willing to pay even more). All these 'look at Sweden' 'look at Denmark' posts are just like holding up keys to a shiny new exotic car in front of someone not realizing they're too broke to buy a rusty Ford Escort.
Having worked for a Swedish company, I personally witnessed the difference this leave provides to new parents. The unexpected benefit is that it creates new opportunities for those who are hired to fill in while an employee is on leave. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
YES this makes me proud to be Swedish 🇸🇪 As a Swedish national, mom to a 3-year old and 1 week new born, working as a director at a global Swedish company - it makes me very happy to see all the positive and inspiring comments! It might sound strange and to some extend a bit spoiled, but to me this is just yet another step from our already existing 480 days paid leave and paid leave for care of sick (school) children incl parents and grandparents, free daycare from 1-year, and free school up until university etc… Therefore, for me this this is not a big thing just another add-on to our already existing social security system. I have lived and worked in multiple countries through out my career and one of my take-aways is; people can argue about tax money amounts / distributions (I often hear we have so high taxes in Sweden for example), or the benefits of having their mom to raise etc… but what I have learned is that THIS IS VERY MUCH INGRAINED IN OUR CULTURE. Equal rights no matter social status and gender, therefore paying taxes for me makes me proud because I, who are very fortunate, am helping less fortunate people to have equal rights to succeed in their lives.
In the U.S., some lawmakers and citizens are so preoccupied ensuring that All voters won’t have access to the same rights …that they curtail the range of benefits that we all could share in as taxpayers. #So busy hating that you block blessings.. #Vote in 2024 like your dreams depended on it. All the Best, ck
If it wasn't for the support, time and reliability of my mother and father (and in laws when they were near) taking their role of grandparenting so commendably I certainly wouldn't have had 3 amazing children and a professional career. This is a wonderfully 21Centuary sound initiative that should be taken on by all governments looking to alleviate burden on the service sector, improve family stability, reduce generational gaps, improve health and well-being of elderly or the retired, and help the growth of healthy society 😄
Scandinavian countries do so much better broadly speaking, than Europe & the UK in providing a social safety net by having higher taxation with collected revenue spent where it should be. Their social values are also based on new ways of thinking, creativity and innovation. ...openness and transparency. ...compassion and equality. ...trust.....Yes, where did those values go in the UK over the past 14 years!
Bravo Sweden. Happy babies. Happy mothers. Happy families. Peaceful well adjusted human communities, in that order.
When will the rest of the world catch up to these great policies
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1moIt's inspiring to witness Sweden's forward-thinking approach to family support. By allowing parents to transfer paid leave to grandparents, they not only honor familial bonds but also nurture a supportive community environment crucial for child development. Studies affirm that involving grandparents fosters happier and more secure children—an invaluable reminder of the village it takes to raise them. Bravo to Sweden for leading with empathy and innovation in nurturing future generations!