DisIntegration Experiences: 4

Posted on by Redbreast

I convey my journey in countries and societies, based on my perspective and only my own experiences. I encourage you to contribute, ask questions and offer your own views. This platform is not complete without your contribution. Posting extracts from my upcoming book.

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Don’t get me wrong; I am very fond of my friends in Finland. The most trustworthy, pragmatic and genuine people this side of Sahara.  But would I want to live in Finland? Would I want to raise my kids in Finland? Would I want to marry a Finnish woman and stay there? I tell you what: In winter, you’ll freeze – that’s assuming no one shoots you, or you don’t shoot yourself.

Among a not only one source, Finland ranks third in global gun ownership behind only America and Yemen; has the highest murder rate in western Europe, double that of the UK; and by far the highest suicide rate in the Nordic countries…

 

15 thoughts on “DisIntegration Experiences: 4”

  3. Finland is a great example of a country where domestic violence has apparently been dropped out as a parameter in the evaluation of a country’s ‘Happiness Index’. There is a local saying ‘Being born in Finland is like winning the lottery’.
    But based on the domestic violence and murder statistics in Finland – the Happiness Evaluations published “independent experts at UN” is a sad joke.

    It’s of course all relative: There are many good things (ie education, access to health care, good salaries) etc, but is it possible to disregard family violence? And what about the amount of people dependent on substances, which is huge?

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    1. I don’t claim to have all the answers, and many may disagree, but:
      To look at the now you probably have to check out the past.

      I take 3 main factors in a nutshell: the weather, protestant work ethic and the past conflicts with Russia.
      The last war produced a survival mindset in which self-denial and sacrifice was a big factor. Every family knows/had a member that was injured/died in the war. Children without a father, the poverty/struggle, broken families that resulted from it was significant. In fact so big was the desperation that people thought better to act than talk about the problems. In some ways this saved the nation which is good.
      In some way, this still continues today. People are still afraid to talk about their problems, to admit them, to admit weakness. Power is in admitting weakness and talking out the feelings is a good cure. And in my view this is still a thing Finns are not great at.

      The cost of independence is and was huge. Together with the protestant ‘work stuff before all else’ attitude, with some dark days and nights isn’t exactly the idea of kicking it in the Caribbean.

      It’s a complicated vicious cycle: the repressed thoughts, darkness, silence. This leads to isolation and loneliness. That leads to other things: petty family feuds, bitter conflicts between neighbours.
      Once you get on medication due to depression it’s difficult to break out from that.
      Looking on the positives – once you’ve survived that setting and are living anywhere else you feel pretty much unbeatable.
      Plus – there is great freedom and adventure in a childhood with 4 seasons and a secure green / snowy surroundings.

      There are perfectly happy families even in Finland. I have just seen these relatively more in other countries outside Finland.

      I really like you blog by the way – it’s full of interesting subjects and beautiful thoughts!

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    1. It’s normal – A tourist visiting Finland naturally only scratches the surface. Goes for me as well with a quick visit somewhere.
      But every country holds dark secrets when you dig deeper …

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