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The happiest kids in the world have social safety nets

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Re: The happiest kids in the world have social safety nets

#141

Post by kasey_junk »

tmnvix wrote: post #122
kasey_junk wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I find these stories of kids not walking (or biking) outside wild! Hundreds of kids in my neighborhood walk, bike, or public transit to school everyday with no issues. I do worry about car on pedestrian crashes but the city has crossing guards and traffic calming for just this. Where are these places that you can’t be outside as a child?

I'm not from the US, but just zoomed into a random spot in what I assume is a typical shopping district in suburban Atlanta[1]. Can't imagine many young kids safely walking or biking around there. Compare a local shopping district near me[2]. Plenty of young kids walking and biking to school here alone and in groups. [1] https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@33.8644514,-84.5949946,3a,75y... [2] https://www.google.co.nz/maps…

But there are no schools or houses there?

I’m not arguing that there are places that are pedestrian unfriendly in the US or even that there are more places per capita like that in the US.

I’m just saying it would be weird for homes and schools to be placed in those locales, and even weirder for governmental officials to take action against kids walking in appropriate locales.

Here is the shopping district nearest me: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SUZCyUHuGbCAwcYT7?g_st=ic

And here is a place that is inappropriate for pedestrians near you https://maps.app.goo.gl/aLdDyWdbFq6vUG6X9?g_st=ic

Within 5 minutes of my area are at least 5 parks/play lots, a beach and a library.

Theaters, cafes and galleries are on that street.

Within 1 mile of that location is a 550 acre public park with all manner of facilities and less than 2 miles away is a 370 acre park.

Thats not mentioning the museums and university facilities near here.

None of that is to flex it’s just to say a random sampling is not an appropriate retort. The US can obviously be less car centric but to imply that it’s impossible or strange for kids to be outside on there own in the US is a wild assertion and anyone making it needs to provide extraordinary proof.

Re: The happiest kids in the world have social safety nets

#142

Post by siquick »

hooper_ wrote: post #88

I had a simmilar experiance in Iceland, compared to my home country (Australia). Some examples: * The birth of our son cost us a total of $50. That was parking fees and a bed for me in the same room as my Partner. Who had a 30 hour labor and an emergancy C-Section. * For the first couple of weeks we had a nurse coming over and checking up on the health of my partner and son. Organized and paid for by the goverment. *…

> * Its illiegal for my son to walk to school by himself, before he's ~12

I see a lot of primary school kids walking to school without parents here in Sydney.

For the record the birth of our daughter which involved emergency c-section cost $0. We had multiple home visits in the first 3 months some purely focused on things like breast feeding techniques. Additionally all vaccines and checkups were $0.

My partner had 6 months paid maternity (albeit from her company). The daycare sickness is not country specific - if your boss has kids then they get it.

Re: The happiest kids in the world have social safety nets

#143

Post by ajmurmann »

elevatedastalt wrote: post #140
genman wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It looks like some political fringe theory talking point.

It was a slightly provocative statement said in satire to underscore the point that the right degree of taxation and social services to provide isn't a universal constant and we don't need to assume that the way European countries do is the only right. These things tend to have complex tradeoffs.

You are right. According to the article it's only right if you prioritize child happiness

Re: The happiest kids in the world have social safety nets

#144

Post by brendanyounger »

sandworm101 wrote: post #80
dopamean wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I read a blog post a while back that had the idea that the reason so many American's remember their college years so fondly is because for many of them it was the only time in their lives where they lived somewhere walkable.

It also a time living in an unnatural community not subject all the issues that exist in the outside world. Campuses are not functionally independent entities. They are artificial environments funded from the outside to fulfill a specific purpose. Spend time on a military base. They are also great places in which to live. Easy commutes, local services, great security, very low unemployment and most are very walkable.…

Not entirely true. I moved a block away from the local college with three daughters in elementary school specifically to take advantage of the businesses and enrichment activities around the school.

In 1.5 years living here, we've had the cops called on us once when we let our 7 year old walk 2 blocks to her friend's house unescorted. We also have to deal with the muscle cars and loud motorcycles which whizz by our house at 3 am each Saturday evening. We also know our neighbors who are of all ages and walks of life and there is never a moment we are fearful for our children's safety.

Please try embracing the opposite view. College campuses in the US are not an aberration, but rather an example of what community could look like.

Re: The happiest kids in the world have social safety nets

#145

Post by deprecative »

koolba wrote: post #69
MBlume wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sounds nice. I've personally spoken on the phone with a police officer who told me he'd involve CPS if he saw my daughter walking (two blocks!) to school again.

How old is your daughter and what happened when you told him to mind his own business and called his bluff?

You want to antagonize an untouchable murder junkie? In what universe is that a good idea?

Re: The happiest kids in the world have social safety nets

#146

Post by koolba »

deprecative wrote: post #145
koolba wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How old is your daughter and what happened when you told him to mind his own business and called his bluff?

You want to antagonize an untouchable murder junkie? In what universe is that a good idea?

“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

I also disagree with framing all police as “murder junkies”.

Re: The happiest kids in the world have social safety nets

#147

Post by siquick »

anon291 wrote: post #136
gnicholas wrote: post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think this is that uncommon. It just depends on how far grandparents live, and whether they have other grandkids. When our first child was born, both sets of grandparents couldn't wait to help out — it was their first grandchild, after all. As other kids have been born, they've had less time to do so.

My experience has not been 'we don't want to care for grandkids because we're so busy caring for our copious grandchildren that we're too busy for one'. It's more like "I want to go to Europe... too bad".

^100% this

Re: The happiest kids in the world have social safety nets

#148

Post by seoulmetro »

hooper_ wrote: post #88

I had a simmilar experiance in Iceland, compared to my home country (Australia). Some examples: * The birth of our son cost us a total of $50. That was parking fees and a bed for me in the same room as my Partner. Who had a 30 hour labor and an emergancy C-Section. * For the first couple of weeks we had a nurse coming over and checking up on the health of my partner and son. Organized and paid for by the goverment. *…

>Its illiegal for my son to walk to school by himself, before he's ~12

Where's the source for this? I don't believe that's true.

Also most of what you wrote is true for Australia too. Except it's 3 months to split from gov leave, and as long as your company offers in paid leave.

Kindy is free in QLD now. Not sure whether that equates to daycare?

Re: The happiest kids in the world have social safety nets

#149

Post by 11101010001100 »

gjjgjgjjg wrote: post #9
11101010001100 wrote: post #2

If someone could help me, I recall a study of all the decisions (on the order of 100-1000s) that a parent makes in the first year of a child's life. The conclusion of the study was something along the lines of most decisions have little to no effect. IF there was a single decision that had the largest effect, it was where home was. Of course, there is coupling between where you live and other decisions, making the co…

I think you're missing a detail. The studies I've read generally found that it doesn't really matter which option you choose from a list of active/intensive/interested options, they'll all produce good effects. But neglect, indifference, and lack of involvement are not on that list. Neglecting your child vs being involved and supportive certainly has an incredibly large effect. In fact, quantity of parental involveme…

I agree I am missing details, but I don't think wealth is considered a decision a parent makes in the first year of a child's life.

Re: The happiest kids in the world have social safety nets

#150

Post by seoulmetro »

morsch wrote: post #117
anon291 wrote: post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I went to my boss to appologize and offer to take holiday days or something, and he laughed at me and said "No! I knew this was going to happen, your a new parent, look after your child!". This is just a nice boss, not a social policy. There are plenty of nice bosses anywhere; and plenty of shitty ones.

It can be a social policy, as well. In Germany, each parent is entitled to up to 10 days a year (single parents get 20) to take care of their sick child. Most people get 70% of their regular wages for those days, paid by the public health insurance.

In Australia those are part of your sick leave, and you get roughly 10 a year IIRC. Quite generous. At 100% wage, paid by your employer.
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