Today, Danish women are on average almost 30 years old before they have their first child.
This is a significant increase compared to previous generations, and the number of young parents is in free fall. 15 years ago, around 900 North Jutland children were born to a mother between the ages of 18 and 24. Last year, the number was more than halved.
The falling birth rates are a hot political topic, as too few children are born in Denmark to maintain the size of the population.
On the one hand, it is encouraged to have more children, but on the other hand, there is a very small window for when, from society’s perspective, it is appropriate to have them. It’s a paradox we need to address.
North Jutland recently brought an interview to Linea Winkler Stokholm. She and her partner, Thorleif, were 22 when they decided to start a family.
And she encountered a number of prejudiced attitudes. Not from families and friends, but from the healthcare system.
– We got the wildest questions about what I had experienced in my childhood and whether it was planned. And for a scan at the hospital, where Thorleif couldn’t come, they asked if I knew who the father was and if he knew he was supposed to be a father! I don’t think they would have asked that if we had been 33 years old. We were simply screened to see if we were resourceful enough, says Linea Winkler Stokholm in the interview with Nordjyske.
But it is not only young mothers who face prejudice.
Berlingske has recently brought an interview with Louise Hasselblad, who had her third child at 44. Older parents also encounter lots of prejudices, which are particularly linked to the health risks for both mother and child in connection with pregnancy and childbirth. The notion that it is a sin for the child to have elderly parents who may not be able to stay active for as many years also still persists.
What both Linea and Louise have in common is that they both see a lot of advantages in having children at exactly the times that they have.
And that illustrates an important point:
There is no right time to have children. Parenthood cannot be reduced to a question of age. The most important thing is that each family makes the decision based on their own needs and circumstances.
Therefore, we must do away with the stigmatizing notions about when it is “appropriate” to become parents.
The health service has a great responsibility, but so does the media.
I myself grew up with the program “The Young Mothers”, which to that extent contributed to the story of how challenging it could be to become a mother at a young age.
We must move away from the one-sided focus on age and instead ensure that all parents meet with support and backing – regardless of whether they are 23 or 44 when they have children.
2024-09-08 17:58:15
#Linea #mother #Louise #child #common #illustrates #important #point
Table of Contents
The Paradox of Parenthood in Denmark: Breaking Down Stigmas and Stereotypes
Denmark, a country renowned for its social welfare system and progressive values, is facing a demographic crisis. The declining birth rate has sparked a heated debate about parenthood, with many pointing to the increasing average age of first-time mothers and fathers as a significant contributor to the problem. Currently, Danish women are, on average, almost 30 years old before they have their first child [1[1[1[1[1[1[1[1]. This significant increase compared to previous generations has led to a sharp decline in the number of young parents, with the number of children born to mothers between 18 and 24 years old in North Jutland decreasing by more than half over the past 15 years.
The falling birth rates have become a hot political topic, as the country struggles to maintain its population size. On one hand, there is a need to encourage more people to have children, but on the other hand, there is a perceived societal pressure to have them within a narrow window of time. This paradox highlights the need to reexamine our attitudes towards parenthood and challenge the stigmas and stereotypes surrounding it.
One such stereotype is the notion that young mothers are not resourceful or responsible enough to care for their children. Linea Winkler Stokholm, who became a mother at 22, faced prejudiced attitudes from the healthcare system, with healthcare professionals asking intrusive questions about her childhood and questioning her ability to care for her child [[pasted text]]. Similarly, older parents, like Louise Hasselblad, who had her third child at 44, face prejudices related to health risks and the notion that it is “selfish” to have children at an advanced age [[pasted text]].
However, both Linea and Louise highlight the advantages of having children at their respective ages, demonstrating that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenthood. The most important factor is that each family makes the decision based on their own needs and circumstances, free from societal pressure and judgment.
To address the declining birth rate and promote a more inclusive and accepting environment for parents of all ages, it is essential to do away with the stigmatizing notions about when it is “appropriate” to become a parent. The healthcare system and media have a significant responsibility in this regard, as they often perpetuate these stereotypes and biases.
the paradox of parenthood in Denmark serves as a reminder that there is no right or wrong time to have children. Parenthood is a personal choice that should be respected and supported, regardless of age or circumstances. By breaking down stigmas and stereotypes, we can create a more accepting and inclusive society that values the diversity of families and promotes a culture of choice and empowerment.
Resources:
[1] Parenthood up for debate in Denmark amid declining birth rates (Courthouse News)
[2] Why is the birth rate low in Nordic countries? (Reddit)
* [3] Births – Statistics Denmark (Statistics Denmark)
The Paradox of Parenthood in Denmark: Breaking Down Age-Related Stigmas
Denmark, a country known for its progressive outlook, is facing a peculiar paradox when it comes to parenthood. On one hand, there is a growing concern about the country’s falling birth rates, with too few children being born to maintain the population size. On the other hand, there is a narrow window of what is deemed “appropriate” for becoming a parent, resulting in stigmatization of both young and older parents.
The Rise of Older Parents
In Denmark, the average age of first-time mothers has increased significantly, with women typically becoming mothers at around 30 years old. This shift is accompanied by a decline in the number of young parents, with only half as many children born to mothers between 18 and 24 years old compared to 15 years ago.
Prejudices Against Young Parents
Linea Winkler Stokholm, who became a mother at 22, shares her experience of encountering prejudice from the healthcare system. “We got the wildest questions about what I had experienced in my childhood and whether it was planned,” she recounts. This stigma towards young parents is rooted in concerns about their perceived lack of maturity and resources.
Prejudices Against Older Parents
However, older parents also face prejudices, particularly related to health risks during pregnancy and childbirth. Louise Hasselblad, who had her third child at 44, has experienced similar stigmatization. The notion that it is “sinful” for children to have elderly parents who may not be able to stay active for as many years also persists.
Breaking Down the Stigmas
Both Linea and Louise have found advantages in having children at the times they did, highlighting the importance of individual circumstances and needs. Parenthood cannot be reduced to a question of age; rather, it is about the readiness and willingness to become a parent.
The Role of Healthcare and Media
The healthcare system has a significant responsibility in breaking down these stigmas, ensuring that all parents receive support and care without bias. The media also plays a crucial role, influencing public perception and perpetuating the narrative of what is deemed “acceptable” when it comes to parenthood.
Supporting All Parents
In Denmark, maternity and paternity benefits are an essential part of the social safety net, providing 24 weeks of support for new parents[[[3]]. Additionally, women have the legal right to be attended by a midwife during a home birth, offering an alternative to traditional hospital births[[[2]].
Conclusion
Parenthood is a complex and multifaceted experience that cannot be bound by age-related stigmas. Denmark, as a forward-thinking nation, must break down these barriers and ensure that all parents, regardless of age, receive the support, care, and understanding they deserve. By doing so, we can create a society that celebrates diversity and enables families to thrive.
keywords: Denmark, parenthood, age-related stigmas, young parents, older parents, healthcare, media, social safety net, maternity and paternity benefits, home births.
