World's Happiest Places

[Super Glue Mommy]

Saw this article on Yahoo listing the 10 happiest places in the world!

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-...kFef1lGpsazJV4

which I correlated with laws on spanking

1 Denmark - spanking is illegal
2 Finland - spanking is illegal
3 Netherlands - spanking is illegal
4 Sweden - spanking is illegal
5 Ireland - legal - anything that leaves a mark is regarded as physical assault and can be prosecuted.
6 Canada - restricted in most of canada, illegal in manitoba and BC
7 Switzerland - some sources say spanking is illegal here, some make no note either way.
8 New Zealand - spanking is recently illegal
9 Norway - spanking is illegal
10 Belgium* - Belgium is close to joining the non-spanking countries


Could be a coincidence that so many non-spanking countries are the happiest. I wonder if Belgium's ranks in happiness will rise sometime after they join the ranks of the non-spanking countries ...

as for the top 10 safest countries and whether or not spanking is illegal there....

(1.) Slovenia 0.7
(2.) Austria - illegal
(3.) Sweden - illegal
(4.) Switzerland - possibly ilelgal
(5.) Israel - illegal
(6.) Hong Kong 2.4
(7.) Norway - illegal
(8.) Ireland - illegal, any marks qualify as assault
(9.) Finland - illegal
(10.) Singapore 4.3

top 10 most dangerous, no laws against spanking in any of these countries...
Russia
Brazil
South Africa
Burundi
Antarctica
Afghanistan
Somalia
Sudan
Columbia
Iraq

For those interested, while America (also no laws against spanking) does not make the top 10 list, this is said 'The USA now leads all nations in violent crime and leads all nations with incarcerations now standing at 2.3 million.'

Teen Pregnancy Top 10, and whether spanking is legal or illegal
USA - legal
Slovakia - legal
New Zealand - recently illegal
Hungary illegal
Iceland - illegal
Poland - legal
Ireland -legal, restricted
Portugal - recently illegal
Canada - legal, restricted
Australia - legal

I note this because some people seem to think teenage pregnancy is more likely in children who are not spanked I wonder if New Zealand and Portugal will slowly fall from this list a few decades from now? while the countries who condone spanking remain? At this time the top reflects 5 'pro'spanking countries, 2 spanking-restricted countries near the bottom of this list, 2 recently illegal 'non'spanking countries, and only 2 countries who have roots in being a non-spanking country.



I don't have time to list more, but homocide and suicide are also higher in spanking legal countries then in spanking illegal countries, and especially higher in child suicide rates in countries that condone spanking then in those that do not.

Of course it being illegal may only lessen the frequency - not everyone obeys the law - but the message is sent in those countries that children do not DESERVE to be hit. At least the children can grow up knowing that, instead of in the US and other countries where they are seen as second rate citizens who do not deserve constitutional rights.

[octobermom]

honestly no I don't see the connection sorry.

Deanna

[Super Glue Mommy]

thats fine. some people see it, some don't. I still think it will be interesting to see 10 years from now if the non-spanking countries climb ranks in happiness and non-violence not that that would mean anything anyway, so many other possible factors and all, but I guess since I know SO many people who would have been happier and less violent if they weren't spanked growing up, and all the information provided by research on spanking, I am able to see the correlation there

DEFINITELY no need for an apology, I can't imagine there was an alternative negative intent in your opinion that would necessitate an apology!

[Gentle~Mommy :)]

How did they even gather this info to decide the happiest countries?

[Super Glue Mommy]

the first link explains all that gentle

Personally I just take it for what it is. I don't feel there are really any ways to prove or disprove anything like this, sooo many factors. The article had nothing to do with spanking of course, I just find it interesting how easy it is to entertain that not spanking is healthier then spanking. Which of course, makes it hard for my to understand how anyone could defend such an action against another human (children included)

[Norasmomma]

I personally think it may have more to do with quality of life in these countries than just spanking vs. no-spanking. Many of the "happiest" countries give mothers or fathers time off for maternity/paternity leave paid, healthcare, and numerous other things that should be available to help promote a sense of well being for a country. I get the violent/non-violent correlation, but what about the facts that many of these countries are also healthful, active countries where people get out and do activities as a family, like skiing, biking and just are generally more active than others. I see that as huge part of their happiness.

Also the Netherlands has marijuana "coffee" shops maybe that's why they are so happy.

I guess I just see this as such a larger picture than just spanking/non-spanking on so many levels.

[Super Glue Mommy]

I see it on a larger level too NorasMommy, I'm sorry if that was not clear in the entirity of my post, I just find it... interesting... that these things can line up an correlate. I think its a lot of things that factor in too, not just one thing or another

[Norasmomma]

Originally Posted by Super Glue Mommy

I see it on a larger level too NorasMommy, I'm sorry if that was not clear in the entirity of my post, I just find it... interesting... that these things can line up an correlate. I think its a lot of things that factor in too, not just one thing or another

Don't apologize about it, I was just making a point that there are so many other factors in so called happiness and quality of life than coming down to the country I live in is ok with spanking vs. one that it is illegal.

There are just so many other factors that can play into what makes a country happy on a national level. I fully believe that many of these things are, paid time off for parents of small children, universal healthcare and promoting a healthful lifestyle....I think that those create an environment that makes a country more respectful on an entire level. Our country is sorely lacking on most of these levels. I guess my point is many of these countries have laws that vary greatly on a number of levels to promote a peaceful society-not just based on one issue.

[Super Glue Mommy]

I dont think spanking/non spanking is THE factor - I think it is A factor I dont think any singuar thing is "the" factor.

[Qalliope]

I really think that both the spanking and the other things that Norasmomma mentioned are aspects of the same thing - a culture that truly values children, parents, and family. IMO, the US just does not see things that way; children are second class citizens here. Their value is always talked about in terms of the adults they will become. If we can stop focusing on how we can prevent kids from screwing up and treat them like real people with something to contribute now, maybe they can grow up emotionally healthy.
All done with my

[MusicianDad]

You have a very good point there. I can't even count the number of times I've heard on other parenting boards "kids don't have the same rights as adults."

Um ok... Why not? They are human aren't they? :

[Super Glue Mommy]

Originally Posted by Qalliope

I really think that both the spanking and the other things that Norasmomma mentioned are aspects of the same thing - a culture that truly values children, parents, and family. IMO, the US just does not see things that way; children are second class citizens here. Their value is always talked about in terms of the adults they will become. If we can stop focusing on how we can prevent kids from screwing up and treat them like real people with something to contribute now, maybe they can grow up emotionally healthy.
All done with my

very well put. This is what my thoughts are too but I couldn't find the words... That in these cultures where happiness is valued (for everyone, children included) they find happiness more often. In cultures where everyone (even children) are respected, we find respect. In places where peace is a priority - to th extent that no violent act is acceptable 'even' towards a child, we find less violence. In places where there are exceptions, excuses, etc, towards how another person can be treated (women, children) we see more violence, lack of respect, less happiness, and less self value (in some cases manifesting as suicide or teen pregnancy for example). I think its ALL connected. Not one thing or another, but the overall value of the people and hence the way people are treated, including children. Of course, since this is the gentle discipline board, I was noting how these are places that do or do not use gentle discipline, that was why there was a "focus" but I agree with you Qall, its all connected. It's an overall mindset of these cultures that send the message that the people who live there (children included) all deserve respect, happiness, peace. So, maybe its more so the fact that these people value these things that spanking does not occur there, less so then that not spanking created that desirable living place. I'm glad some of the members of the GD board can share my appreciation of correlation between a society who values their people ("even" children) and a society who treats their people kindly. Most countries want less violence, more happiness, etc... but these are the countries who don't just want these things, they value these things, and they value the people who will make those things possible, including children.

[Norasmomma]

Originally Posted by Qalliope

I really think that both the spanking and the other things that Norasmomma mentioned are aspects of the same thing - a culture that truly values children, parents, and family. IMO, the US just does not see things that way; children are second class citizens here. Their value is always talked about in terms of the adults they will become. If we can stop focusing on how we can prevent kids from screwing up and treat them like real people with something to contribute now, maybe they can grow up emotionally healthy.
All done with my

That was the point I was trying to get across-that it is about valuing ALL people of a society. In the US it's like have kids and then, well you better figure it out. We'll look down on you if you work, we'll look down on you if you stay at home with your children. So many politicians tout family values and then when anything about helping families comes into play-those same folks touting "family values" are like oh more handouts from the government. The US needs some serious changes on our social levels as a whole.