One of the most common questions when it comes to raising kids is whether it’s better to live in the country, or in the city? This is something that many parents think about when they want to settle down and start their families.
What’s safe to say is that both of these environments come with certain advantages and disadvantages. If you want a more specific answer, then you should carefully think through the needs and priorities of you and your family.
It’s definitely not an easy decision, which is why we decided to dig deeper into this topic and do our best to help you decide on the best choice for you and your family members.
The Influence Of The Environment On Children
Let’s Begin With Countries That Are Most Family-Friendly
According to the latest UNICEF reports, the most family-friendly countries currently are Sweden, Iceland, Portugal, Norway, Estonia, and Iceland. This report mainly focuses on the countries that are part of the European Union and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
It was found that these places have the best family-friendly national policies, including childcare services for kids aged between 0 and 6 years old, and the duration of parental leave at full pay equivalent.
These policies are of huge importance because they are focused on improving the relationship between parents and their kids, which is essential for the development of families. But what about the healthcare system?
That’s something that should be discussed as well. Namely, if we take a look at the Compare The Market Health Insurance infographic, it was concluded that the biggest leaders in healthcare outcomes are Japan, Australia, and Iceland, along with Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Switzerland. Unfortunately, when it comes to high-income countries, the USA is the worst-performing in this group.
The Cities VS The Country: Which is better for your family
The Advantages Of Living In The City
Certainly, one of the biggest advantages of raising kids in the city is the great access to a variety of after-school activities. It can be great for your child's development to go to theaters, galleries, museums, and other similar institutions, which cannot be easily accessed when you live in a rural area.
Another benefit to living in the city is that you can work on increasing your physical activity and reducing the time you spend in the car. Besides, most modern cities have amazing transit options, such as buses, trains, and subways that can enable your children to go wherever they want without having to drive.
Now, it is widely known how social opportunities are essential for a child and the truth is, the city offers way more diversity when it comes to people. They will get the chance to meet individuals from all walks of life. Everything is far more diverse when you live in the city.
The Advantages Of Living In The Country
When children are very young, to them, there's nothing better than climbing trees, catching bugs, rolling in the mud, and other outdoor activities. To them, every single one of these things is a new adventure.
And besides, it has been proven so many times that kids who are surrounded by nature are way less stressed than those who live in urban places. What’s interesting is that one study conducted in Chicago a few years ago, showed that children who spend a lot of time outside are much more creative.
Additionally, scientists have concluded that children who have backyards (or spend a lot of time in them) engage in more complex play patterns, such as elaborate make-believe stories.
Let’s Not Forget The Importance Of Community
It doesn't matter whether you live in the country or the city, building a community is not easy, however, the easiest way to build one is to start with your friends and family. As a parent, it’s easy to feel lost and overwhelmed. Whenever you feel that way, do not be afraid to seek help from neighbors, friends, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and other people close to you.
Having a great community is like having a helping hand. Your kid is going to be surrounded by people you love and trust, who can care for them while you are focusing on other important parts of your life.
In this day and age, it has become very challenging to raise a child no matter where you live. It seems like you’re constantly dealing with numerous obstacles and hurdles, however, we hope that this article will help you find the best option for you and your family.
