You're not in Sweden any more

[JimmiG]

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/k...who.left.baby.outside.restaurant.investigated

AMHERST, Mass (Reuters) - A Swedish woman who police say left her baby unattended outside a Massachusetts restaurant while she ordered food inside was reported to a state agency for possible child maltreatment, officials said on Monday.

The woman, who authorities did not identify, said she "found nothing wrong with the situation" and that it was common in Sweden to leave young children alone outside a restaurant, said police.

While I agree that this is common and nothing special at all in Sweden, she should have realized that she was in a less safe country. When the government is losing control and cannot guarantee safety in the streets, you need to take more responsibility yourself.

 

[shortylickens]

Which is weird cuz usually Europeans criticize us for having such dangerous neighborhoods.

Brain fart?

 

[CPA]

Whether it's safe or not, is not the issue. The issue is once again a foreigner comes over here and believes their customs should overrule our customs and laws.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Whether it's safe or not, is not the issue. The issue is once again a foreigner comes over here and believes their customs should overrule our customs and laws.

You're right! Americans never do that.

 

[96Firebird]

You're right! Americans never do that.

And when they do, they get called out on it? So... returning the favor?

 

[ShawnD1]

Which is weird cuz usually Europeans criticize us for having such dangerous neighborhoods.

Brain fart?

That danger usually doesn't apply to young kids. Thugs will cut your throat and take your wallet, but they don't do that to babies because babies don't have money.
Seriously, does someone expect thugz to come along and stomp a baby for no reason? A more likely scenario is that a helpful person would see the child and try to help it, which is exactly what happened.

Culture of Fear strikes again.

 

[soulcougher73]

Whether it's safe or not, is not the issue. The issue is once again a foreigner comes over here and believes their customs should overrule our customs and laws.

I really dont think this issue is a custom or a law issue. She is just used to being in a safe place when she can leave her baby outside. Our country should be so safe and lucky to allow for this.

 

[ShawnD1]

I really dont think this issue is a custom or a law issue. She is just used to being in a safe place when she can leave her baby outside. Our country should be so safe and lucky to allow for this.

USA already is that safe. Kidnapping and child abduction is so incredibly rare that it makes national news when it happens.

 

[kami333]

Which is weird cuz usually Europeans criticize us for having such dangerous neighborhoods.

It was in Amherst MA, not NYC.

I haven't been there in a while but during the summer (when the college kids weren't around) it was a really sleepy New England town. I used to see people run into stores with their cars running.


When I lived in Scandinavia I used to think it was strange. Even stranger was that in the winter they would bundle up the babies and put them in their strollers/prams to nap outside (on the patio etc), I think the belief was that it would make them stronger.

 

[randomrogue]

Was the baby dressed in fur pelts and wielding a sword? Don't mess with those Viking babies.

 

[PingviN]

Leaving babies unattended is stupid no matter where you are.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Leaving babies unattended is stupid no matter where you are.

Indeed.

Although Amherst Mass is relatively safe, leaving your baby alone outside while you order food is unacceptable.

 

[ProfJohn]

Was the baby dressed in fur pelts and wielding a sword? Don't mess with those Viking babies.

Here is the photo accompanying the story

 

[Macamus Prime]

If this was an American woman in Mass - most of you would be screaming about how "teh gubnaments" need to stay out of your business.

 

[randomrogue]

I think it's worth noting that there are bad mothers everywhere. This article is really not that exciting and tells us nothing about Sweden or Massachusetts. I have been to Sweden and I don't recall there being babies left unattended. In fact I think they eat unattended babies.

 

[Broheim]

Leaving babies unattended is stupid no matter where you are.

I have never been to Lund (in Sweden anyway) so I don't know what kind of town it is, but I know for a fact that it is still common practice to leave your baby unattended outside of shops etc. in Sweden just like the rest of Scandinavia.
perhaps less os than in the past, but I still see it wherever I go. my mom used to leave me outside of shops all the time, it was just the most practical thing to do, and there has never ever ever ever ever been a case where an unattended baby was kidnapped here in Denmark (and the rest of Scandinavia I'm sure).

 

[Broheim]

It was in Amherst MA, not NYC.

I haven't been there in a while but during the summer (when the college kids weren't around) it was a really sleepy New England town. I used to see people run into stores with their cars running.


When I lived in Scandinavia I used to think it was strange. Even stranger was that in the winter they would bundle up the babies and put them in their strollers/prams to nap outside (on the patio etc), I think the belief was that it would make them stronger.

might have been the reason back in the day, and there's probably some truth to it, but today it's more because it's generally believed that the baby sleeps better outside.

according to my mom I slept much better outside than I did in the house.

 

[yllus]

While I agree that this is common and nothing special at all in Sweden, she should have realized that she was in a less safe country. When the government is losing control and cannot guarantee safety in the streets, you need to take more responsibility yourself.

I tend to disbelieve that small town USA is actually less safe than Sweden. I think this is more a case of intrusive legislation; the best case outcome in my view is if this all leads to a repeal of the law she was accused of breaking.

 

[Jaskalas]

Sounds like some innocent ignorance. Maybe a warning is appropriate but there should not be anything more to it than that. Government action on this would be gross violation of human rights.

 

[randomrogue]

Sounds like some innocent ignorance. Maybe a warning is appropriate but there should not be anything more to it than that. Government action on this would be gross violation of human rights.

Gross violation of human rights?

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Whether it's safe or not, is not the issue. The issue is once again a foreigner comes over here and believes their customs should overrule our customs and laws.

Laws yes, but what would customs have to do with it? The thing that's supposed to be great about America is being free to do what you want.

 

[PingviN]

I have never been to Lund (in Sweden anyway) so I don't know what kind of town it is, but I know for a fact that it is still common practice to leave your baby unattended outside of shops etc. in Sweden just like the rest of Scandinavia.

As someone who has lived in Sweden, in several different places, I can say that it's not common practice over here. It happens, but rarely. People bring their children in their strollers into stores and into restaurants rather than leaving their kids outside.

Dogs: yes
Babies: no

It's not common practice. Happens, yes, but it's not something you see every day. At least not for the last few years.