Scandinavia

     The posting on Denmark gave statistics on Scandinavia. Linda Nyquist comments:
     With the surname "Nyqvist" the comments on Scandinavia have touched a chord!

1. Out-of-wedlock births don't necessarily mean the fall of the empire; absentee parents do. At least in Sweden, many couples live their entire lives without marrying, and have families. I am not sure why they choose not to marry, but they are committed couples. Many of my own cousins fall into this category. [In Mexico, many women do not marry so that they can escape if their men ill-treat them. In Spain there is a wave of protests about such abuse. What about Scandinavia? Marriage provides a legal protection to the wife; unmarried couples are now demanding similar protection in France. What about Scandinavia? RH].

2. Suicide (along with sex) is ALWAYS mentioned in conjunction with Sweden, and the rest of Scandinavia. I have a theory that at least part of the reportedly high rate has to do with accuracy of reporting. The Swedes are highly accurate in their statistical complication. Furthermore, there is not the social stigma against suicide that exists in Catholic countries (i.e., Mexico). In my own experience, I sadly know three people in Mexico who committed suicide; all were reported as heart attacks, and the families continue to talk about the tragedy of early-onset heart disease in the deceased.


     The International Environmental Fund has consistently named the Scandinavian countries as having the highest living standards in the world. I have taken groups of physicians and nurses to these countries on study tours. They have been convinced that the poor people are hiding from our tours!

Ronald Hilton - 11/1/99