Why are nations with the most liberal governments & promote welfare states, seen as best for raising children?

Question

The U.N. Report ranks northern Europe, with the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark (nations that take pride of being liberal with high social and religious tolerance, and staunchly believe in welfare state systems) as leading the list for raising the happiest children. Nations, like U.S., Britain, France - religion toting nations with low social & cultural tolerance - are ranked low down the list, and reported to be producing the poorest and most neglected children with risky and bad behaviors.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21566&Cr=unicef&Cr1=

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070214/wl_nm/britain_children_dc
Rankings by order: Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, Italy, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Canada, Greece, Poland, Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Austria, Hungary, U.S., UK. Are Conservertive ideologies bad for nations,? Does Conservatism promote corruption and hurt its citizens in the long run?

Answer 1

because as a government philosophy, they care more about the people and social welfare than free market and letting the businesses run the show.

Answer 2

I left the very false, arrogant New England town where I grew up many years ago because I knew from personal experience it was a terrible place to be a child and I would not subject my own children to that sort of life. It's not how you feel, it's how you look - for real.

After visiting my nieces in the U.S. recently I knew I made the right decision. They are both four and can recognise brand names. They even know which ones are the "good" ones.

I have two children and now live in a country ranking higher than the U.S. My children do not know brand names exist yet. They also are pretty free, as can be seen by the marker drawings on our livingroom walls and the holes that have been dug in our lawn (looking for worms and having them meet each other). I can also say I am on year 5 of maternity leave and will have two more years, when my youngest turns four. I am glad my husband and I could have childen and have the freedom to be able to raise them ourselves -- as opposed to having them and then handing them over to a stranger to raise.

BTW, Isn't this actually conservatism - the woman in the home raising the kids with the man off "bread winning"? The socio-political framework certainly does help to make it happen.

Answer 3

The Wizard makes a compelling argument!

Philosophically, I agree with the premise of your question and I am against the twin evils of conservatism and corruption.

However I believe it's unbridled, ruthless greed that's hurting the world. It is interesting to note that countries such as Britain, France and the U.S., ranked near the bottom, were all imperial powers.

Perhaps it is something built into the national psyche of these countries that is the real driver of conservatism and corruption.

All the wealth of the world flows to the kings and queens, the peasants just get the scraps.

Answer 4

confident - the welfare of young little ones is a low precedence for US Conservatives. Examples - the lots touted - "No infant left at the back of software" that for the time of no way have been given off the floor. The practise cuts interior the present Federal funds. Low instructor salaries and the unfavorable US Public college equipment.

Answer 5

I briefly read the report and it makes sense. Did you? Do you know what there indicators of "healthy " children are?
Lets see, one indicator of healthy children is the amount of money spent on children's welfare. Well by definition a welfare state will spend more on welfare, therefore they win in this category.
Another indicator is risks and behaviour (Brit spell). It must be nice being a kid in a country that thinks that the recreational use of narcotics is okay, and hey if you can't afford them, you don't need to steal, we'll "give" you the money.
The best is the children's perception of their health and well being. With 1 and 2 above and I was a kid I would be happy too.
Poor, poor British and American kids. Can't get free money to buy the drugs that keep them happy. Poor bastards have to get a job. Must suck getting busted for ripping off the local market to score some drugs. No wonder there not happy.
Now the report also mentions that the UN wants all these countries to spend themselves into the poor house for the "children". maybe the kids should step up and help the country.

Answer 6

I don't think conservatism itself is a bad thing; I think the American brands of conservatism are misguided and irrational. There needs to be a stable balance between conservatism and liberalism so that we may conserve much of our way of life while slowly yet surely purging our culture of harmful and ignorant norms to make way for changes that suit everyone.

Answer 7

Parents have more time for their children in Northern European countries unlike in US and UK where the parents spent more time in work, sports and other activities.

Answer 8

Because they are oppressing the natural instincts of children. if they aren't allowed to speak and act out and air themselves, no one will see the troubles brewing in their personalities. Like when the typical two year old breaks a lamp, or runs around the store without you? They are just acting out naturally! But these are control freaks you are talking about and very rigid people unable to bend, impatient and self serving, they care about their values without even knowing they have no values that are worth more than a free human being eh? Strict upbringings have created more criminals and violent people for 6000 years and any person with a half witted brain knows this as well.

Answer 9

You have to ask what liberalism and conservatism true believe?
and BTW, UN has become a liberal, and who will they align with? of course the liberals.

Do you really think that conservatism promote corruption and does not care about people? And only liberal are the most wonderful people? According to me Conservatism believes in freedom, but a responsible freedom and welfare, of course welfare according to everybody potential, not marxism welfare.
We believe in tolerance. I found a lot that liberalism is the one who is intolerance to whoever disagree to liberalism.
We believe in moral and value. We believe in small government. A big government is a way to control its people and big spending.

The statistic proves nothing, but propaganda just like mainstream media does (bias)... Hope it will help you people to open your eyes and hearts

Answer 10

I think there's a good chance they're comparing gnats to pumpkins geographically, socially, &c.