Finland The Society and Its Environment
Medieval church with uncoursed stone walls and
brick-decorated gables, built circa 1480 at Hollola, approximately
100 kilometers from Helsinki
FINLAND HAS BEEN on Europe's periphery, both physically
and
socially, for almost all its history. It is still Europe's
northernmost country, with a quarter of its area above the
Arctic
Circle. By the late 1980s, however, modern means of
communication
had substantially reduced its physical remoteness from the
rest
of Europe. Modern technology also had lessened winter's
hold on
the country. Finns lived comfortably, and they moved about
freely
the whole year. In the social realm, Finland had left its
traditional poverty and backwardness behind. Since World
War II,
it had become one of the world's most advanced societies.
Its
citizens enjoyed prosperity and meaningful employment, as
well as
benefits from the social measures they had forged, which
guaranteed everyone a decent and humane share of the
prosperity.
During the course of their history, Finns have always
moved
about, both within their country and abroad. The years
after
World War II saw, however, an unprecedented population
shift away
from the countryside to the increasingly more urbanized
south.
New industries and a rapidly growing service sector meant
that
the work force not only relocated, but also changed in
character.
Agriculture's and forestry's combined share of the work
force
declined from about 50 percent in 1950 to about 10 percent
in
1980. Industry's share remained unchanged at about 20
percent,
while that of the service sector doubled from 9 percent to
18
percent. Between 1950 and 1980, the number of students and
pensioners quadrupled, going from 6 to 24 percent,
reflecting a
wealthier and healthier society.
Personal relationships also changed. Families became
smaller;
divorce became more common. A growing public sector meant
that
many tasks previously managed by the family could now be
entrusted to the state. Lessened dependence on the family
also
meant greater freedom for women. This was reflected in new
legislation that gave women greater equality with men.
Traditional habits persisted, however, and in the late
1980s
Finland's women still had a secondary place at home, in
the
workplace, and in politics.
Finland was a remarkably homogeneous country. It had no
racial minorities. The largest minority group, the
Swedishspeaking Finns, was so well assimilated with the majority
that
there were fears it would eventually disappear. In fact,
the
group's share of the country's population had dropped from
12
percent to 6 percent in the twentieth century. Two very
small
minorities, the Lapps (or Sami) and the Gypsies, remained
apart
from the majority. They still suffered from some
discrimination
and from poor living standards, but legislation and more
open
attitudes on the part of the majority were improving their
lot.
Finland was virtually free of the religious divisions
that
bedeviled many other societies. One of the two state
churches,
the Lutheran Church of Finland, had nearly 90 percent of
the
population as members. Religious freedom was guaranteed by
law,
and Finns also belonged to several dozen other churches.
Because
Finnish society had become increasingly secularized,
differences
of opinion about moral issues caused less friction than
they had
in the past.
Finns maintained their traditional respect for
education.
Education had gradually become more accessible, and an
ever
greater number of Finns were studying at all levels. The
old
system, which excluded many, had been replaced by one that
attempted to meet individual schooling needs and to keep
open as
many options for further training as possible; no one went
without education for lack of money.
Finland, like its Nordic neighbors, had created a
system of
public welfare measures that was among the most advanced
in the
world. Through a steady progression of legislation, Finns
came to
be protected from many of life's vicissitudes. Coverage
was
virtually universal, and it was seen as a right rather
than as
charity. Income security measures guaranteed Finns a
livelihood
despite age, illness, or unemployment. The state also
provided
many services that assisted Finns in their daily life,
such as
child care, family counseling, and health care. Although
some
social problems persisted, the quality of life for Finns
overall
had steadily and, in many instances, dramatically
improved.
Better medical care meant that Finns enjoyed improved
health,
while subsidized housing brought them better and roomier
shelter.
Efforts also were being made to protect the natural
environment.
Data as of December 1988
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