Not Easy Being A Mum In Colombia

By Desideria (Moderator) on May 10, 2008, 10:00 in Friendly Talkzone.

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 10:09:

Ok, it didn't work.

Anyway, here's the story.
A NGO "Save the Children" has analyzed the situation of mothers in different countries and Sweden is, according to them, the best country in the world to be a mum. (I'm not surprised...) Colombia OTOH, did not do that great, coming first on the 59th place below Uruguay and Peru.

The parameters used were health, education, nutrition, welfare and the political and economical status of women in 143 nations.

Colombias low placing in the study is explained by the huge difference of infant mortality and health care between the different stratas and also between cities and countryside.

More (in Spanish);
http://www.elpais.com.co/paisonline/notas/Mayo102008/nal5.html

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 10:14:

Desi: I like this ;) Interesting.

Kitty is curious, in Sweden - what are the things they comment on that make it the best counrty to be a mum? I can "guess" but was wondering if there was someting that was pleasantly unexpected ;))

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CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 10:14:

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CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 10:14:

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CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 10:15:

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webmanco says on May 10, 2008, 10:16:

CatGirl are you feeling right?

or you have the quickest finger in PBH

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 10:18:

OK!!! The multiple posts are the results of the new changes BTW. I tried a different internet server and found I could finally log on. BUT! when I try to post and clck comment? the screen goes wackadoodles and disconnects my session. when I returned? WOW multiple posting. Sorry. not intended at all. At least i solved the logging on problem, now a new one has reared it's ugly head. Let's see what happens now........OK....here goes

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CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 10:19:

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webmanco says on May 10, 2008, 10:20:

here we go again

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 10:20:

I dunno Webman....maybe beyond my scope. I think my fav computer is haunted, jajaja

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Desideria (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 10:22:

First of all, all pre-natal care is free of charge, all vaccinations, infant care, doctors etc are totally free of charge. You pay a little for medicine. All dental care for minors is free. That puts all mothers in equal economical conditions to take care of themselves and their babies.

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

CatGirl says on May 10, 2008, 15:56:

OK - but this is the same in the UK - correct?

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Desideria (Moderator) says on May 10, 2008, 23:27:

I'm sure it is...Sweden is not the only country in the world to have free medical services for expecting mums, babies and infants.

A generous maternity/paternity leave is another reason. (Total 18 months)

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

CatGirl says on May 11, 2008, 00:06:

18 months! hey! Not bad

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Cerealkiller says on May 11, 2008, 03:23:

Desi what about nurseries, daycare and all that stuff? Surely, Sweden must have a subsidized child care service or offer benefits to stay home mums. In the UK you can get child benefits but from what I gather these supplements cannot cover childcare expenses from ages 0 to 4 when they're supposed to be sent to school (for a half day).

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

kat1 (Moderator) says on May 11, 2008, 05:20:

Desi here is very similar, although childcare is not free you can get some allowance to help providing your income don't exceed so much a year. kids up to the age of 16 have free dental care, medical, discounts of prescription glasses, although this last one varies again according the income of the family, so you could have it free.

all mothers get child benefit until the child is 16 but if the child decide to continue in full time education they will extend that help until he is 18. that is when he finish his A levels

Desideria (Moderator) says on May 11, 2008, 05:23:

Yes, childcare is subsidized, but not free. Stay-home mums have no subsidy other than the general child subsidy that is for all children under 16 (or 19, until they graduate from high school). There has been plenty of talk about implementing a subsidy for stay-home mums, but it hasn't happened yet. (Finland has it, for example).

A great majority of all children under the age of 6 are enrolled in pre-school centers (educational day-care facilities); you are entitled to a pre-school placement for your child from 9 months on but most children start at a little over 1 year of age. The requirements are that both parents must work or study. The pre-school centers are often rather small units, with two to five groups of children with 15 to 21 children in each group, except baby and toddler groups which are smaller. My grandchild who is 20 months old goes in a toddler group with 9 children in it and three full-time caretakers, two of them with pedagogues.

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe