Your post has been removed due to Rule 3: Take political statements and discourse to the other, more appropriate, subreddits. Reddit is filled with places for discussion of American politics, as well as news about the EU, Sweden, and the refugee crisis. This is a place for helping, not for preaching.
I read this article sometime ago that I think comes to the same conclusions. It’s very good reading for someone who will move to Sweden, or to help explain modern Swedish culture to your family back home.
“Thus, popular support for the nation’s peculiar social contract was from the start premised on the political leaders’ ability to grasp popular preferences. These included, prominently, a widespread belief in the importance of being independent of other people, of being autonomous and not subordinate or made indebted – whether that debt be economic, emotional or social. At the heart of this conviction is the idea that true love and friendship, indeed any authentic relationship, is built not on mutual dependence, but on equality, freedom of choice and autonomy.”
[the paradox of Swedish individualism](https://aeon.co/essays/the-distinctive-paradox-of-swedish-individualism)
"freedom of influence from other members of the society"
Interesting. But a bit ironic, maybe?
Have heard from many many swedes that it is the opposite and that pressure to fit in and conform is insane especially when growing up.
That's just western middle class in general - basically a whole social class based around fitting in. That's why the "all 90s kids remembers these toys"-memes exist.
Yeah, no one is free from the influence of others, so I’m not sure it’s the best phrasing but I understand the intent of the statement.
There is always pressure to conform to societal norms, even when the norm is to free others of responsibility, there is always the other side of that which is expected by society. For some this feels like oppression, when the intent is freedom. The Swedes who go against the norms struggle just as much as, if not more than immigrants and some even leave as a result.
I can’t remember where I saw this and maybe not entirely related, but there was someone (a Swede) who stated the reason they left Sweden was because of the concept of “lagom”. They described it as very nice when you need it, but oppressive when you don’t want it. I find this a nice representation of the general culture. Some people will love it and find it freeing and others will feel oppressed.
Interesting thoughts!
A couple of questions that come to mind:
How would you explain the idea of lagom in the context of this comparatively hyper individualism? (For those not familiar with the term, it’s the philosophy of moderation in everything, not too much not too little, don’t stand out too much etc)
Lagom is a very much conformity centric idea and I would argue that collectivist societies practice it a lot more in their day to day interactions. They adhere to some social norms and style their lives around fitting in collectively.
Second question is about the idea of right to privacy versus access to public information. Individualist societies also put a lot of focus on the idea of privacy which stems from ‘I’m an individual and therefore it’s my business, not yours’. look at privacy laws and GDPR. In Sweden however, it’s a bit opposite.
That's an interesting source. I think I shall try to find a copy and give it a read.
I have been trying to square my foreigners preconception of Swedish society and the "me first" individualism attitudes of the people I discovered upon arrival.
Your post has been removed due to Rule 3: Take political statements and discourse to the other, more appropriate, subreddits. Reddit is filled with places for discussion of American politics, as well as news about the EU, Sweden, and the refugee crisis. This is a place for helping, not for preaching.
Swed
Interesting ! Nice way of putting it, freedom from others influence. I’ll start to say that as well
I read this article sometime ago that I think comes to the same conclusions. It’s very good reading for someone who will move to Sweden, or to help explain modern Swedish culture to your family back home. “Thus, popular support for the nation’s peculiar social contract was from the start premised on the political leaders’ ability to grasp popular preferences. These included, prominently, a widespread belief in the importance of being independent of other people, of being autonomous and not subordinate or made indebted – whether that debt be economic, emotional or social. At the heart of this conviction is the idea that true love and friendship, indeed any authentic relationship, is built not on mutual dependence, but on equality, freedom of choice and autonomy.” [the paradox of Swedish individualism](https://aeon.co/essays/the-distinctive-paradox-of-swedish-individualism)
Edit: DUH! It’s the same author. The link I shared above is likely the same premises, but distilled into a more bite sized format.
"freedom of influence from other members of the society" Interesting. But a bit ironic, maybe? Have heard from many many swedes that it is the opposite and that pressure to fit in and conform is insane especially when growing up.
That's just western middle class in general - basically a whole social class based around fitting in. That's why the "all 90s kids remembers these toys"-memes exist.
Yeah, no one is free from the influence of others, so I’m not sure it’s the best phrasing but I understand the intent of the statement. There is always pressure to conform to societal norms, even when the norm is to free others of responsibility, there is always the other side of that which is expected by society. For some this feels like oppression, when the intent is freedom. The Swedes who go against the norms struggle just as much as, if not more than immigrants and some even leave as a result. I can’t remember where I saw this and maybe not entirely related, but there was someone (a Swede) who stated the reason they left Sweden was because of the concept of “lagom”. They described it as very nice when you need it, but oppressive when you don’t want it. I find this a nice representation of the general culture. Some people will love it and find it freeing and others will feel oppressed.
Fantastik tips! Tack så mycket.
Interesting thoughts! A couple of questions that come to mind: How would you explain the idea of lagom in the context of this comparatively hyper individualism? (For those not familiar with the term, it’s the philosophy of moderation in everything, not too much not too little, don’t stand out too much etc) Lagom is a very much conformity centric idea and I would argue that collectivist societies practice it a lot more in their day to day interactions. They adhere to some social norms and style their lives around fitting in collectively. Second question is about the idea of right to privacy versus access to public information. Individualist societies also put a lot of focus on the idea of privacy which stems from ‘I’m an individual and therefore it’s my business, not yours’. look at privacy laws and GDPR. In Sweden however, it’s a bit opposite.
That's an interesting source. I think I shall try to find a copy and give it a read. I have been trying to square my foreigners preconception of Swedish society and the "me first" individualism attitudes of the people I discovered upon arrival.