Citation

Scarr S. Scand. J. Psychol. 1996; 37(1): 93-102.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22903, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Scandinavian Psychological Associations, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8900822

Abstract

Underlying moral values of individuality versus community and assumptions about what is a "just society" make public policies toward children vastly different in Sweden and the United States. This article explores the origins, cost, and benefits of welfare policies that permit child poverty in the U.S. as a cost of the high value of autonomy/individuality, and policies that prevent child poverty in Sweden, at the cost of economic competitiveness and individual initiative. I conclude that both extremes of moral values have more social costs than benefits but that children should be protected in any nation as the future of the society.

Language: en