Common traits in happy countries

[Lightning]

What the Happiest Countries in the World Have in Common

A new United Nations report finds that Scandinavian nations continue to be the happiest in the world. Here's why.

www.outsideonline.com

 

[Velma's Dad]

I guess an ability to stay happy through winters in which it only gets light for a few hours a day proves you can be happy anywhere.

I spent a couple of weeks in Kuopio in Finland one January and the weirdest thing (to me as a Brit) was seeing the little kids cycling to school in the pitch dark, and completely unsupervised.

 

[Amarillo]

I guess an ability to stay happy through winters in which it only gets light for a few hours a day proves you can be happy anywhere.

I spent a couple of weeks in Kuopio in Finland one January and the weirdest thing (to me as a Brit) was seeing the little kids cycling to school in the pitch dark, and completely unsupervised.

My boys' school claims that children under ten cannot travel to school unsupervised, and even then only with permission from the headteacher. I think that rule is bullshit. At the age of six I was walking my four year old brother with me to and from school. Does a school now have the lawful authority to determine how children travel to school?

 

[Jodalo]

My boys' school claims that children under ten cannot travel to school unsupervised, and even then only with permission from the headteacher. I think that rule is bullshit. At the age of six I was walking my four year old brother with me to and from school. Does a school now have the lawful authority to determine how children travel to school?

IMHO I would say no. Leaving aside any issues of child neglect (which we know is a real issue). As far as I’m aware the Headteacher would only have authority over a pupil once inside the school gates during school hours. Otherwise logically the Headteacher would be inundated with child care issues outside of these parameters.

 

[Velma's Dad]

My boys' school claims that children under ten cannot travel to school unsupervised, and even then only with permission from the headteacher. I think that rule is bullshit. At the age of six I was walking my four year old brother with me to and from school. Does a school now have the lawful authority to determine how children travel to school?

No, obviously it doesn't.

But in any case you could just tell the school that they're collecting chickens on the way.

 

[Jay gas]

It’s a grand total of 32 adult steps to our sons primary school. Would I let him cross the road and walk to school unsupervised at 6 years old, not a chance and it’s because lots of parents think it’s ok to park on double yellow lines like complete divs Making it really quite unsafe for children to walk to school.

 

[Amarillo]

It’s a grand total of 32 adult steps to our sons primary school. Would I let him cross the road and walk to school unsupervised at 6 years old, not a chance and it’s because lots of parents think it’s ok to park on double yellow lines like complete divs Making it really quite unsafe for children to walk to school.

There’s no way I’d let my boys cycle to school unsupervised. But my point was about who has the responsibility of determining a child’s preparedness for independent travel: a parent or a headteacher.

 

[Hamish S]

In part I agree most parents but then there are some I wouldn't trust at all.

 

[Velma's Dad]

There’s no way I’d let my boys cycle to school unsupervised. But my point was about who has the responsibility of determining a child’s preparedness for independent travel: a parent or a headteacher.

No statute law would make the teacher criminally responsible, as far as I know. But at the same time you should have a look at the civil law interpretations of duty of care. But I warn you, it's extremely complex.

 

[Vagophile]

No statute law would make the teacher criminally responsible, as far as I know. But at the same time you should have a look at the civil law interpretations of duty of care. But I warn you, it's extremely complex.

But who better to interpret it?

 

[Amarillo]

But who better to interpret it?

Boris, the Daily Mail quoting the Daily Telegraph, quoting the then Mayor of London.

"They have taken the sword of common sense to the great bloated encephalopathic sacred cow of elf and safety"

Boris backs couple threatened by social services for letting their children cycle to school

The London Mayor hailed Oliver and Gillian Schonrock as 'heroes' and said they should be applauded, not hounded, for showing faith in their children.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Lightning]

Universal Basic Income helps too.

Universal basic income seems to improve employment and well-being

Finland's universal basic income study has revealed that the programme doesn't seem to discourage people from working The world’s most robust study of universal basic income has concluded that it boosts recipients’ mental and financial well-being, as well as modestly improving employment...

www.newscientist.com

 

[RodCouncil]

Many of us in Sweden have full A-kassa (employee insurance through our union) so if we’re made redundant we get up to 90% sal over 12-18m plus our notice or if you’re lucky a deal, free access to education so can retrain into something new, it just makes sense.

Not sure it makes you happier but I don’t lose sleep over worrying about work.

 

[Lightning]

Many of us in Sweden have full A-kassa (employee insurance through our union) so if we’re made redundant we get up to 90% sal over 12-18m plus our notice or if you’re lucky a deal, free access to education so can retrain into something new, it just makes sense.

Not sure it makes you happier but I don’t lose sleep over worrying about work.

Well, we get £93 a week, to spend a minimum of 30 hours looking for a job, after a 5 week delay, and only providing you have less than £16k savings.

This makes many people unhappy!