As the title reads, today's post will be about an attitude there is to find in wealthy countries. Specifically this is about Denmark but possibly transferable to similar nations.
As a brief introduction I will give an example of an experience that will forever remind me of this attitude that I am about to explain.
The first time I came to South America I remember seeing a truly poor neighborhood for the first time. Not long after I read an article in a Danish paper about the a newly defined poverty limit. After a bit of fast math I realized that this was more or less what I had to live for considering student stipends, spare time jobs, help from parents and savings. I know there is a huge difference between living this way for a period of time versus permanently. But I did in no way feel poor or financially limited.
Considering the recent meeting with actual poverty this article made me angry and frustrated. After a little bit of thinking something occurred to me. It is not fair to compare Denmark and
a country like Chile. It simply makes no sense and only fosters strong emotional reactions to unfairness and pointlessness. Just for the record I want to say that this "poverty limit" should not have the word poverty in it (if I were to decide). Less privileged maybe. That much relativity I do allow for.
The real problem in Denmark is this type of reaction to conditions that are far from our beloved "welfare state" (as we like to call it). In public debate, if you hear anyone complaining
about unemployment benefits, student stipends and other welfare benefits funded/arranged by the state, the masses will attack you. They will say that you have no reason to complain, that you were so lucky to have been born in Denmark. There we have it. The "just-be-glad-you-weren't-born-in-Africa" attitude. So, what is wrong with that?
In Denmark children have been raised for many years with this attitude. Whether it is small comments about how fortunate they are having everything at their feet or
more directly when facing poverty and war on TV. In spite of good intentions, this attitude does not help anyone. It is a general opinion in the western world that who you were born to be does not have to define you. Whether it is the American dream or the more subtle Scandinavian version with help from the state. In the light of this, why should "rich kids" feel guilty about being born into a society with benefits? They didn't choose it. Does it give them a better life? Should they say no to the benefits? Does it help people living in poverty knowing that other people are better of? Does it make things worse?
No. It is very difficult to deal with a situation you are not in. Some people will argue that the whole point of this guilt triggering is to emphasize empathy for the less
fortunate. Empathy is crucial which is why it is so sad there is non between the citizens of Denmark.
The first time I came to South America I remember seeing a truly poor neighborhood for the first time. Not long after I read an article in a Danish paper about the a newly defined poverty limit. After a bit of fast math I realized that this was more or less what I had to live for considering student stipends, spare time jobs, help from parents and savings. I know there is a huge difference between living this way for a period of time versus permanently. But I did in no way feel poor or financially limited.
Considering the recent meeting with actual poverty this article made me angry and frustrated. After a little bit of thinking something occurred to me. It is not fair to compare Denmark and
a country like Chile. It simply makes no sense and only fosters strong emotional reactions to unfairness and pointlessness. Just for the record I want to say that this "poverty limit" should not have the word poverty in it (if I were to decide). Less privileged maybe. That much relativity I do allow for.
The real problem in Denmark is this type of reaction to conditions that are far from our beloved "welfare state" (as we like to call it). In public debate, if you hear anyone complaining
about unemployment benefits, student stipends and other welfare benefits funded/arranged by the state, the masses will attack you. They will say that you have no reason to complain, that you were so lucky to have been born in Denmark. There we have it. The "just-be-glad-you-weren't-born-in-Africa" attitude. So, what is wrong with that?
In Denmark children have been raised for many years with this attitude. Whether it is small comments about how fortunate they are having everything at their feet or
more directly when facing poverty and war on TV. In spite of good intentions, this attitude does not help anyone. It is a general opinion in the western world that who you were born to be does not have to define you. Whether it is the American dream or the more subtle Scandinavian version with help from the state. In the light of this, why should "rich kids" feel guilty about being born into a society with benefits? They didn't choose it. Does it give them a better life? Should they say no to the benefits? Does it help people living in poverty knowing that other people are better of? Does it make things worse?
No. It is very difficult to deal with a situation you are not in. Some people will argue that the whole point of this guilt triggering is to emphasize empathy for the less
fortunate. Empathy is crucial which is why it is so sad there is non between the citizens of Denmark.
It is ironic how we can build a society on empathy without showing any amongst each other within the nation.
After empathy for the poor in third world nations, is there nothing left for fellow country men?
The lack of empathy I'm referring to are the situations in which people request more, criticise or merely just question welfare benefits in Denmark.
Looking objectively at students stipends, education funded by taxes, unemployment benefits, disability pensions, pensions in general, subsidies, and all the other benefits,
what can we say? Generally speaking these benefits allow for people to maintain a certain level of living. What makes them luxurious is the relativity principle, the fact that people are worse off many other places in the world.
It is merely just a safety net. Although you get unemployment benefits there is no guarantee that you will find a job. Although there is universal health care you have to pay if
all your teeth fall out or if you need a psychologist. Although you're awarded a disability pension your disability will not go away. Although your education is free there is again no guarantee that you will find a job. And so on.
See, now I am one of these people who "questions" the welfare arrangements. But I take the liberty to do so because I'm Danish born and raised but also because I have lived abroad and seen other ways of dealing with fairness in society. Although it has confirmed that we do have great benefits in Denmark it has also made me realize that we pay a price
for these benefits, and I am not talking about taxes. The "just be glad you weren't born in Africa" attitude and how it makes people feel that they are taking advantage of the state, when they are really just claiming what is theirs by law.
After empathy for the poor in third world nations, is there nothing left for fellow country men?
The lack of empathy I'm referring to are the situations in which people request more, criticise or merely just question welfare benefits in Denmark.
Looking objectively at students stipends, education funded by taxes, unemployment benefits, disability pensions, pensions in general, subsidies, and all the other benefits,
what can we say? Generally speaking these benefits allow for people to maintain a certain level of living. What makes them luxurious is the relativity principle, the fact that people are worse off many other places in the world.
It is merely just a safety net. Although you get unemployment benefits there is no guarantee that you will find a job. Although there is universal health care you have to pay if
all your teeth fall out or if you need a psychologist. Although you're awarded a disability pension your disability will not go away. Although your education is free there is again no guarantee that you will find a job. And so on.
See, now I am one of these people who "questions" the welfare arrangements. But I take the liberty to do so because I'm Danish born and raised but also because I have lived abroad and seen other ways of dealing with fairness in society. Although it has confirmed that we do have great benefits in Denmark it has also made me realize that we pay a price
for these benefits, and I am not talking about taxes. The "just be glad you weren't born in Africa" attitude and how it makes people feel that they are taking advantage of the state, when they are really just claiming what is theirs by law.
My main point is this: th attitude fosters non empathetic people. Like me when I first arrived to SA and read the Danish poverty article. There is NO point to becoming angry with Danish "poor" people - it will not help people in the third world.
In fact, Denmark will not remain a country of universal welfare if this attitude for real takes over. In a way it is a type of extreme empathy - like when there is one piece
of candy left and the parent chooses that nobody should have it because they can't have one each.
But we are not children, so let me ask in real life: does that make any sense?
In fact, Denmark will not remain a country of universal welfare if this attitude for real takes over. In a way it is a type of extreme empathy - like when there is one piece
of candy left and the parent chooses that nobody should have it because they can't have one each.
But we are not children, so let me ask in real life: does that make any sense?
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