This new United Nations report makes it clear that in many countries around the world, being a woman is dangerous to your health, to say nothing of your future prospects or pursuit of happiness. From the executive summary: “The roots of violence against women lie in historically unequal power relations between men and women and pervasive discrimination against women in both the public and private spheres. Patriarchal disparities of power, discriminatory cultural norms and economic inequalities serve to deny women’s human rights and perpetuate violence. Violence against women is one of the key means through which male control over women’s agency and sexuality is maintained.”
The full downloadable report offers a rollup, toward the end, of the cost of violence against women. But these costs are derived from a hodgepodge of studies from just a few countries and make comparison pretty much impossible; and, perhaps more important, they address the downside of violence only in financial cost.
But the report got me to thinking: Is the U.S. the best place in the world to be a woman? I am guessing the answer is no. The Scandinavian countries come to mind, as does Canada and some countries in western Europe. But in terms of health, education, income, cultural and political opportunities — and, yes, the level of violence — I would have to think that the U.S. is at the very least in the world’s top 10. What do you think?
, which downplays the America-is-in-decline meme; meanwhile, Latin America 
(Good WSJ review 
and 
. You can also watch it on 
The gap in life expectancy between men and women in the United States has been shrinking a bit, most likely because more and more women smoke.
The gap in life expectancy between men and women in the United States has been shrinking a bit, most likely because more and more women smoke.
My mom, may she rest in peace, used to listen to Pat Buchanan speak about how great the 1950s were and how we should return to those wonderful days.
Her gag reflex would always kick-in on those occasions.
My mom, may she rest in peace, used to listen to Pat Buchanan speak about how great the 1950s were and how we should return to those wonderful days.
Her gag reflex would always kick-in on those occasions.
What is the definition of “Best Place”? I’m not a woman, but I can think of a few definitions that could produce different results.
For example, is the best place in world to be a woman the place where:
1. There is the least violence against women.
2. Where women have the highest incomes.
3. Women are the happiest.
4. Women have the highest standard of living.
5. Women have the most freedom.
6. Women are most equal to men.
For example, one might try to minimize violence against women by passing very stringent sexual harrassment laws, severe punishments for violence against women, encourage women to stay home at night or travel in packs with armed escort, etc. At a certain point, safety from violence above all else sacrifices happiness and freedom.
Are women happier in a country where women have higher incomes because more of them are single parents and have to work? Well, maybe.
This is fun to look at:
World Database of Happiness
http://www1.eur.nl/fsw/happiness/
From here we see:
Taking all things together, would you say you are?:
4 – very happy
3 – quite happy
2 – not very happy
1 – not at all happy
Mean
—–
2.60 Argentina (2002)
3.37 Australia (1995)
2.78 Belarus (2001)
3.39 Canada (2000)
3.39 Denmark (1999)
3.13 Finland (2000)
3.24 Great Britain (2005)
3.44 Iceland (1999)
3.02 Israel (2001)
2.95 Italy (1999)
3.41 Netherlands (1999)
2.66 Poland (2003)
3.47 Puerto Rico (2001)
3.30 Switzerland (2000)
3.32 USA (2002)
3.13 Venezuela (2002)
3.41 Vietnam (2001)
What is the definition of “Best Place”? I’m not a woman, but I can think of a few definitions that could produce different results.
For example, is the best place in world to be a woman the place where:
1. There is the least violence against women.
2. Where women have the highest incomes.
3. Women are the happiest.
4. Women have the highest standard of living.
5. Women have the most freedom.
6. Women are most equal to men.
For example, one might try to minimize violence against women by passing very stringent sexual harrassment laws, severe punishments for violence against women, encourage women to stay home at night or travel in packs with armed escort, etc. At a certain point, safety from violence above all else sacrifices happiness and freedom.
Are women happier in a country where women have higher incomes because more of them are single parents and have to work? Well, maybe.
This is fun to look at:
World Database of Happiness
http://www1.eur.nl/fsw/happiness/
From here we see:
Taking all things together, would you say you are?:
4 – very happy
3 – quite happy
2 – not very happy
1 – not at all happy
Mean
—–
2.60 Argentina (2002)
3.37 Australia (1995)
2.78 Belarus (2001)
3.39 Canada (2000)
3.39 Denmark (1999)
3.13 Finland (2000)
3.24 Great Britain (2005)
3.44 Iceland (1999)
3.02 Israel (2001)
2.95 Italy (1999)
3.41 Netherlands (1999)
2.66 Poland (2003)
3.47 Puerto Rico (2001)
3.30 Switzerland (2000)
3.32 USA (2002)
3.13 Venezuela (2002)
3.41 Vietnam (2001)
I’m Canadian, and I should probably point out that new mothers can take a whole 12 months to stay at home with a newborn child and then return to their job.
The government pays roughly half the salary, and the employer pays the other.
For comparison, I have heard that American women with gold-plated insurance can get about 12 weeks off.
So for mothers and their children, Canadians have it better.
I’m Canadian, and I should probably point out that new mothers can take a whole 12 months to stay at home with a newborn child and then return to their job.
The government pays roughly half the salary, and the employer pays the other.
For comparison, I have heard that American women with gold-plated insurance can get about 12 weeks off.
So for mothers and their children, Canadians have it better.