The Unintended Consequences of Universal Childcare: Lessons from Sweden
With Katharine B. Stevens
EVENT
March 2, 2021
Event Description
Often cited as the international gold standard, Sweden is a world-renowned pioneer in high-quality, universal childcare. Aiming to support children’s development while enabling mothers to work, Sweden’s universal system has established a new norm in care for young children: More than 90 percent of children from 18 months through age 5 now attend early learning programs, averaging 33 hours weekly.
Female workforce participation has soared as a result, from 59 percent in 1970 to 80 percent today. Yet, a growing number of Swedes are concerned about the unexpected negative effects of universal preschool on women, families, and, especially, children.
Please join AEI’s Katharine B. Stevens for a conversation with Swedish childcare experts on the unintended consequences of universal childcare and lessons the US might draw from Sweden’s experience.
Event Summary
On March 2, AEI’s Katharine B. Stevens hosted an event with three Swedish early care and education experts to discuss their views on problematic aspects of Sweden’s widely acclaimed universal preschool system.
Ulla Waldenström of the Karolinska Institute presented background and data on Sweden’s system, including caregiver training, adult-child ratios, and the number of children per classroom. She shared two main concerns: a substantial decline in system quality over time and a considerable lack of research on the effects of early out-of-home care on children’s long-term development.
Caroline Höglund of the European Federation of Parents and Caregivers at Home described three unintended consequences of Sweden’s universal system: a strong social norm valuing preschool over parental care starting at age 1, eroded trust in parents’ ability to raise their own children, and the diminished quality of Sweden’s programs. She urged the US to learn from decades of Sweden’s experience, emphasizing the need to promote family choice and empower parents in raising their children.
Madeleine Wallin of the European Federation of Parents and Caregivers at Home discussed the importance of a child’s emotional development and how Sweden’s system compromises healthy emotional development by greatly reducing one-on-one nurturing care for young children.
Event Materials
AGENDA
10:00 AM
Welcome and introduction:
Katharine B. Stevens, AEI
10:10 AM
Presentations:
Caroline Höglund, President, European Federation of Parents and Caregivers at Home; President, National Association of Stay-at-Home Parents
Ulla Waldenström, Senior Professor, Karolinska Institute
Madeleine Wallin, General Secretary, European Federation of Parents and Caregivers at Home; International Coordinator, National Association of Stay-at-Home Parents
10:25 AM
Discussion:
Caroline Höglund, President, European Federation of Parents and Caregivers at Home; President, National Association of Stay-at-Home Parents
Ulla Waldenström, Senior Professor, Karolinska Institute
Madeleine Wallin, General Secretary, European Federation of Parents and Caregivers at Home; International Coordinator, National Association of Stay-at-Home Parents
Moderator:
Katharine B. Stevens, AEI
11:15 AM
Q&A
11:30 AM
Adjournment
See Also
Blog ~ February 26, 2021
Op-Ed ~ February 10, 2015
Article ~ April 27, 2021