Together with me in Sweden it lives totally about 9 million people, 10% of these are like me in the age between 16 and 24. In 2010 we are expected to reach 1 million.
The majorities of these young people are born in Sweden and have Swedish nationality, 25 % have at least one foreign parent. Most foreigners are from example Finland, Bosnia and Iraq. Unfortunately it can sometimes be a hard time for foreigners to integrate in Sweden, especially if they come from more southern countries. We are not always very helpful towards strangers, and that’s a pity, because I know we have much to learn from each other, the language is also quite hard to learn. I think its fun if Sweden become more intercultural.
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Typical swedish houses, made of wood and painted in red and white.
What makes Swedish youths different?
Young people in Sweden have the same interests and problems as young people in the rest of Western Europe. International comparisons show that we are both tolerant and intolerant at the same time. Studies of young Swedes attitudes and values show a very big tolerance for subjects as abortion, religion and homosexuality.
In contrast we have a very negative attitude against misuse if allowances and cuts or spending in the public sector.
How about the famous Swedish emancipation?
We the reputation to be one of the most emancipated countries in the world. Most youngsters like me consider equality to be a matter of course. But still it exist a lot of differences between the sexes. Between young men and women is still a quite distinct difference in choice of career, how we priorities family and work and it is still a gender differentiation in salaries. Positive things are that we have the highest number of women’s doing paid work than any other country.
How works the school-system in Sweden?
We start school at the age of six. We go nine years in compulsory school. After this almost everybody continues to the upper secondary school for three years, there you can choose between 16 different programs. The most popular ones are the Social- and the Scientific-program. About 20 percent continue to collage or university within three years after finishing Upper secondary school. General here is that women’s study humanity and social-science and men technology or law. The most common explanation given by young people for not studying further was that they wanted to work instead. Most young people move from their parents just in this time, in the age between 19 and 23.
How about the army…?
All men are obliged to enroll for civil duty or military service, for women’s it is voluntary. Each year about 45 000 young men enroll for the army, from which about ¼ is picked to do the service. Sweden has a neutral defense policy based on the principal of non-alignment. If you have fulfilled your service with good results you can apply for the international peacekeeping force.
I will start my service in June, and be in there for 10 months – I’m really looking forward to this, it will be a different challenge and interesting to test my limitations.
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Swedish soldiers ready for battle
Tell us something about families life…
This is not very encouraging statistics, but I must mention that we have the highest rate of divorces in the world, over 50% of the marriages ends within 10 years. My parents are divorced and so many of my friend’s parents. For me it have not been a big problem, but many other, mostly smaller children can suffer a hard time when the parents are divorcing.
One good thing is that booth parents most often take the same responsibility for bringing up their children. During the childhood for example, the father have the same right to be free from work as the mother, but still keep the biggest part of his salary. This is a part of the Swedish welfare-system.
The Hultsfred festival
Close to where I live in Sweden lies a little town called Hultsfred. This is the place for swedens biggest rock-festival, which is held each year in June. It use to attract about 30 000 visitors and about 140 bands. Famous artists from all over the world is coming there each year. I have been on the festival three times. There I stay with my friends, watch concerts, sleep in tent and make party, all day and night! After one week here you are a little bit tired… For this years festival artist like, for example, Marliyn Manson, Slipknot, System of a Down, The Hives and Slayer will come.
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From 2002, concert with the swedish band "Doktor Kosmos", I´m out there in the audience somewhere.
Can you make a comparison between youngsters in Romania and in Sweden?
During this half year I’ve lived here in Romania I’ve learned about young peoples situation here. It is both different and similar. I think we, the youngsters in Sweden are more spoiled and take things for granted. Like Swedish people in general I think we are a bit reserved and hard to get contact with, but you should remember, if you once have become friend with a Swede, it use to be friendship that lasts! It have been very easy for me to be a foreigner in Romania, everybody are very friendly and open to me. I’m very impressed by all the voluntary-work some Romanian youths do, for example in the organization where I work, F.J.T. This is a rare thing among Swedish youths, many wonders what’s the point to work if you don’t receive money? They don’t get that you can be rich in other ways, for example gather new experiences and get new friends. If young Swedes work voluntary it’s most often in some sports-club or religious organization. Me by myself, I’m involved in a football-referee organization.
I have often noticed differences between Swedish and Romania youths – but even more often similarities – cus in the end; we live in in different countries – but still we are young in the same Europe.