,
11 tweets,
2 min read
Read on Twitter
So many subtle but striking cultural differences in Denmark compared to US. Probably biggest is the pervasive presence and support for families. 1
And not the hypocritical bullshit of “family values” but genuine integration of kids and parents and everything they might need anywhere and everywhere. 2
And substantive state support of families with paid maternity AND paternity leave, child care, higher education, parks, libraries, etc. 3
Danish parents routinely park strollers—with babies inside them—outside of stores and restaurants with no thought of danger because the entire community takes responsibility for babies. 4
In a Park in central Copenhagen there’s a facility with tiny roads and sidewalks and bike paths to train little kids how to navigate safely on the streets. Full of signs and signals on short poles. Pervasive care for families. 5
But the traffic training park is FUN. Kids ask their parents to take them there. 6
Street danger is vastly reduced simply because traffic is vastly reduced because there are multiple forms of alternate transit. The bikes and bike paths are justifiably famous but the city busses run fast, frequently, and precisely on time. 7
The busses can run on time because the volume of auto traffic is so low. And trains and ferries for middle and long distance travel. Sure, take the car if you need it, but mostly you don’t need it. 8
And so everyone spends more tiring the public sphere in random social contact with strangers and people who aren’t like them. This breeds more tolerance. 9
I could go on but note that all of these differences are subtle and they take time to detect. In the USA we talk loudly about this stuff but don’t deliver. In Denmark they are quiet but for real. 10
The truly amazing thing is they do this in a country with fewer than six million population. Imagine what America could do with the power and wealth of 360 millions. 11
