The Role of the Nuclear Family in Norway

The country of Norway is unique. Its people enjoy a quiet and peaceful life where old traditions and new ideas blend together to form a culture that sets itself apart. With a population of over five million people, the citizens of Norway enjoy one of the highest standards of living to any other country in the world. However, the culture of Norway, like other countries, has its own set of struggles that is at the forefront of social issues.

One of the main cultural issues facing Norway today is the decline of the family unit.
Norway, like many other countries, is beginning to see a decline in the typical nuclear family. More adults in Norway prefer cohabitation and civil unions rather than a traditional marriage. More children are being born and raised from parents that aren't married, but choose to have civil unions instead.

Divorce rates are higher in Norway in the post World War II era. Part of the blame lies with the Norwegian government itself. The welfare system in Norway strongly supports mothers and children, even if there is a civil union or no union at all. Therefore, it's easier for women to maintain a level of independence outside of marriage, but still have the support from the government that's needed to help raise a child.

Despite all of this, the nuclear family is still important in Norwegian culture. To this effect, Norwegian law helps strengthen and promote the nuclear family. Parents are allowed up to 43 weeks of paid leave between them to raise a newborn child. Parents of school aged children are each allowed up to 10 days of personal leave to care for a sick child at home. The goal of such legislation is to strengthen the relationships created within the nuclear family to promote lasting and permanently strong families, which greatly benefits the Norwegian society.

Although family is a cultural stigma that is facing Norway, the measures taken to insure the security of the nuclear family are in place, which also enhances the prosperity of the country in the future. Only time will tell if such measures are good enough to preserve Norway's culture.