The matter in summary Norway has experienced a decline in the birth rate, especially among young mothers, since the 1970s. Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe (Sp) visits Studenongan Kindergarten in Bodø to learn about measures that can increase the birth rate. Studenongan Barnehage, which is for students’ children, offers an “exam guarantee”, where they take care of the children even if they are ill, so that the parents can take the exam. Finances are an important factor for young adults when considering having children, and many want to have housing and education before having children. Other measures that can help to increase the birth rate include more student housing for families and better financial conditions for students. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. We are having fewer and fewer children. And since the 1970s, the group of “young mothers” has decreased considerably. This is what Kjersti Toppe, the Minister for Children and Families, wants to do. What will it take for young adults to speed things up – and produce more children? For student Anniken Alexandersen, proximity to the kindergarten and “exam guarantee” mean a lot. The guarantee means that she can deliver a sick child to the nursery when she has her exam. Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe will learn from such examples. – We are concerned with what we can do to make better arrangements for those who want to have children earlier. Perhaps she will find an answer to the child mystery at “Studentongan”? “Studenongan” welcomes the minister – who wonders how the government will speed up the parent generation. Economy Studentongan Nursery is, as the name might suggest, a nursery for students’ children. The nursery is a stone’s throw away from Nord University and basically looks like any other nursery: Lots of children 👶 Lots of laughter 😄 Good atmosphere 🥳 FIERCE! The words slipped out of the lead singer – to the delight of both the minister and the children. Photo: Sondre Skjelvik / news But many of the children here are basically rare. They have parents who study. – Kindergarten is quite important. I get security as a student mother. Without it, I would have been more dependent on my circle of friends, says Anniken Alexandersen. She is a student. And became a mother when she was 20. Perfect. That is exactly what Toppe wants more of. Here it can be learned! Ea-Sophie hangs around mom’s neck. The latter is happy that she will be young with her daughter for a long time. Photo: Sondre Skjelvik / news – What do you think is the reason why not more people do like you? – The financial. It is like a burden on the shoulders. If it had been more organized financially for young people, I think more people would have done as I did, Anniken replies and adds: – Most people want housing and education before they have children. I have taken things in a slightly different order. Kjersti Toppe takes time for a little play before “adult talk”. Photo: Sondre Skjelvik / news Buns, soft drinks and tips Play and fun aside. Toppe has actually come to learn. In a chair covered with large glass beads, the minister is served cinnamon buns, soft drinks and education while the talk goes on. – We have an exam guarantee, says Ole Marius Røsten, daycare manager. If the children become ill, they still take care of the child to ensure that the parents can take the exam. – I have not heard of that before, Toppe replies. Great – this is where you learn! Røsten says they focus on learning at an early age through play. Photo: Sondre Skjelvik / news Student leader Simen August Stranden has also made the trip to Studentongan. He believes measures such as an exam guarantee are very important for parents of young students. – It is important to make progress in a study, he says and brings up nursing as an example of studies where ongoing exams must be passed. – If they don’t have the opportunity, it will also be a big cost to society. Simen August Stranden believes that the economic aspect is very important if the government wants young people to have children earlier. Photo: Sondre Skjelvik / news Simen is 22 years old. It is right in the middle of the government’s sights. Maybe he can start producing children? – I can’t imagine how I would make it go around with an extra mouth and stomach to fill. Finances are a very important factor before choosing to have children, Simen answers to questions about children. – Having children now is completely out of the question. I will study further. Kjersti Toppe was responsive from the room’s most beautiful chair. Photo: Sondre Skjelvik / news A number of good measures Although the birth figures may indicate that little is being done for young Norwegians to have children, quite a lot is being done. Lena Jørgensen, director of welfare services at Studentinord, mentions frequently. – Student housing for families, student kindergarten with exam guarantee and a good safe environment. We also provide services within counselling, as well as physical and mental health services. – We know that these measures are important. Lena Jørgensen says that the family homes are very popular among students with children. Photo: Sondre Skjelvik / news – Are such measures really needed to reverse the trend, Simen points to the economy as a main factor? – There are some big lines outside us as well. We do our best to help those who have children, or want to have children, replies Jørgensen. She adds that there is no doubt that finances are also an important factor for them to be able to provide a good enough offer. – Facilitating through a sufficient number of homes, or through even better solutions in the nursery, requires finances. The economy is today marginal in several areas. Kjersti Toppe took her time in the nursery to find the key to more children among young people. Photo: Sondre Skjelvik / news Home to assess measures Kjersti Toppe and the rest of the team from the ministry are full of cinnamon buns. – You must see our water park, says general manager Ole Marius Røsten. With advisors in tow, Toppe follows Røsten into a tiled room with a panoramic view of the northern Norwegian winter. Here we fill up water and let the children play. Photo: Sondre Skjelvik / news There may not be a “water park” in all Norwegian kindergartens that Toppe & co. must reverse the birth trend. But overall, news has noted several suggestions: More great student nurseries with exam guarantees More student accommodation for families Better financial framework for students Safe nurseries close to the university can be important for more young people to have children. Photo: Sondre Skjelvik / news – Did you become any wiser today? – Yes, I think they were concerned with finances. It means something to them, Toppe replies. She has also noticed this with the exam guarantee and good student housing that is suitable for families with children. – Such good feedback on how we can make it even better adapted is good. There were a lot of tips that I will take with me. – Do you want to work with some concrete proposals? – Yes, we do work where we evaluate various measures. We look with some concern at the birth rate. It has become very low. Can politicians adopt more children? But isn’t this just as much about culture? That young people simply prioritize having children because they want to do other things? – It certainly has something to do with culture. This cannot be controlled politically. Young people today do things on their own terms, Toppe replies. She points out that many people wait until they have finished their education, got a permanent job and are happy to start their career. – But we can look at whether our schemes are good enough for the young people who want to start a family. The minister dug for answers – and found several suggestions. Photo: Sondre Skjelvik / news Finally, news asks if Toppe wants to add anything. – It is a private choice to have children. But I think that a few more people can think about having children before they are 30, she replies with a smile. READ ALSO: Hello! Thanks for reading the whole thing. Feel free to send me a tip if you want me to write about something else! Want to read more? Here are some tips:
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Norway is having fewer children – the government is looking for answers – news Nordland
