Norms and values
This section will be about Swedish norms and values and what is typically Swedish.
Typically Swedish?
In all parts of the world, in every single country, within all groups of people, there are cultural values that for many create a sense of togetherness but which do not do that for everyone. It is therefore difficult to say what is typically Swedish. In this section you will find examples of what is Swedish for many people. Of course, there are many more examples and different people may have different perceptions of what defines Sweden.
For example, there is a strong faith in the state and its authorities. People rely to a relatively high degree on authority decisions, the judiciary system and officials, and corruption is low.
Keeping times is also important for many people in Sweden, even when we meet with family or close friends.
The Right of Public Access
Many Swedes care a lot about nature. The right of public access makes it possible, for example, to hike, bike, pick berries and tent almost everywhere in nature, but it also means that we must not hurt forests and land, disturb animals or litter. You can read more about the right of public access here:
All about public law (naturvardsverket.se)
External link, opens in new window.
Norms
Some things that are typically Swedish are also examples of cultural norms. Norms are ideas and unwritten rules about how people are expected to act and live and what is expected of their appearance. Norms are needed in all societies. They help us, for example, to know how to behave on the bus, how we stand in line, how close we stand when we talk to an unknown person or how we should greet each other.
Norms and discrimination
While norms are needed, they can also limit people and create discrimination. For example, in most societies, there are norms about how men and women should dress, what they should work with, who can use makeup, and who can cry when they are sad. There are also norms about what a family should look like and how to live to not embarrass one’s family or oneself.
If you violate these norms, you may experience being questioned and treated worse by others. If we know what norms exist, they can be influenced and changed, although in some cases it may take a long time. For example, it took until 1921 before women were given the right to vote in Sweden, as there were long-standing beliefs and norms that women were not suitable to participate in social discussions.
Gender equality
Gender equality is about achieving equality between genders and that women and men should have the same rights, opportunities and obligations. It’s something that everyone needs to work for, both privately, at work and in society.
The Riksdag has decided on overriding goals for the gender equality policy in Sweden. They aim for men and women to have the same power and opportunity to influence society and their own lives.
The goals state that:
- women and men have the same right to be active citizens, to vote in the elections and to participate in associations
- women and men should have the same right to economic independence throughout their lives. This is one of the reasons why both men and women to a large extent work in Sweden.
- everyone should have the same right to education regardless of gender. Girls and boys have the same right to go to school. Both men and women who have been granted a residence permit can study at SFI (Swedish for Immigrants). Men and women can educate themselves in any field they want.
- work in the home should be divided evenly between men and women. This is important in order for family life to work because both parents usually work.
- everyone should have the same conditions to thrive with the same right to healthcare and welfare, regardless of gender.
- men’s violence against women and children must stop and all people, including children, should have the same right to decide over their own bodies.
Equality in practice
Although Sweden has come a long way in terms of gender equality, there are many examples that show that society is not equal.
Women often take greater responsibility for work at home. Mothers are usually on parental leave for a longer period of time than fathers, even though parents have the right to be home with the child the same amount of time. Women often earn less than men and there are significantly more women who are sexually assaulted.
You can find out more about gender equality here:
Goals for gender equality - Regeringen.se (in Swedish) External link, opens in new window.
Gender Equality | Informationsverige.se External link, opens in new window.
Movie Tip — Equality
See the film Equality External link, opens in new window.
The “Start Talking About” films are jointly produced by MILSA education platform and InformationSverige.se.
Relationships and Marriage
In some societies, the family has a lot to say about which partner someone should have and in some places in the world, it is forbidden to live in a same-sex relationship. In Sweden, you can decide who you want to have a relationship with, but there are certain laws regarding relationships and marriage that are important to know about. Here, there may be large differences between what is allowed and what is not allowed in Sweden compared to other countries.
Polygamy is illegal, which means that it is not allowed to be married to multiple people at the same time. You are, however, allowed to divorce and then remarry if you want to.
Polygamy that has taken place abroad is not approved in Sweden, unless there are special reasons. These may be individual cases where a woman is at risk of suffering serious consequences if she loses the right to, for example, property division, maintenance or inheritance.
More information about what applies to people who have married abroad can be found on the Swedish Tax Agency's website:
Movie Tip — The Right to Choose a Partner
See the film The Right to Choose a Partner External link, opens in new window.
The “Start Talking About” films are jointly produced by MILSA education platform and InformationSverige.se.
Movie Tip — Sexual Health and Rights
See the film Sexual Health and Rights External link, opens in new window.
The “Start Talking About” films are jointly produced by MILSA education platform and InformationSverige.se.
