Family Structure and Function

        The traditional family structure of Finland is very similar to the United States of America. Both countries are considered to be nuclear families where there is a mother, father, and then their kids in a household. I believe Finland more accurately represents a nuclear family than the United States because there are large numbers of single parents with kids in America. In Finland, there are certain rights that receive depending on the status of the couple. According to infofinland.fi, “A couple can choose whether they want to live together in a common-law relationship or in a marriage”. Couples are also known for both genders in the relationship to be bringing in an income which is very similar to the United States. The average number of kids that a family has in Finland is 1.8, which is also very similar to the United States. When speaking about the economy in Finland, Britiannica.com stated, “Finland’s economy is based primarily on private ownership and free enterprise”. Seeing how another aspect of their culture and structures they are used to are so similar to the United States I feel like there wouldn’t be much of a culture shock for either of the populations. They are both pretty similar and I feel like either would be able to communicate efficiently if they knew the same language. 

Child-rearing in Finland is considered for the parents to leave as much independent thinking as possible for their children to understand how to do things on their own. I see this as different in the United States because most kids get stuff done for them. When kids are old enough to start working or studying they move out and start going on their own path. I find it very interesting that the majority of people in Finland have to decide on what they want to do so they don’t get to fluctuate like they do in America. For example, in Finland you have to decide to either be an athlete or go to college. There are no college sports, the professional league is the only level. The impact that growing children up this way independently gives them a headstart when they decide to leave and go on their own path. 

Globalization for the country of Finland has been a real benefit in the last ten years. They have been getting technological advancements at a high rate and have started to connect with different markets all around the globe. This has provided more jobs for the people of Finland, but also has helped the economy get going. It provides opportunities that the citizens of Finland may have never been able to experience before. There have also been large numbers of foreigners in Finland who were not originally from there. They all have started families and they each hold different cultural backgrounds than the citizens of Finland who have been there forever. This provides diversity with a mixture of many cultures over the last 10 years.