Dutch kids are a marvel: cycling around town, hanging onto the back of their parents’ bike, and eating hagelslag like there’s no tomorrow. No wonder they’re among the happiest children in the world — but why is that?
In the meantime, American children score among the lowest in most dimensions measured — stemming primarily from inequality and exceptionally high child poverty rate (with nearly a quarter of children in the U.S. growing up under the federal poverty limit).
READ MORE | The Netherlands ranks fifth happiest country in the world (and we couldn’t be more proud)
When I came to the Netherlands to study Social Policies and Social Interventions for my master’s degree, I had no idea how much subtle cultural differences played a role in national policies and how different childhood in the Netherlands was from my own American upbringing.
These are some of the biggest things I’ve noticed after living in the Netherlands for a few years:
1. Dutch kids know about “the birds and the bees”
I grew up going to a Catholic school in a really conservative state, where it is still illegal in most places to buy alcohol on Sundays.
Our idea of sex education consisted of instilling fear of incurable STDs, calling birth control unreliable, and having a man pass out white roses and pledge cards to make us promise that we’d “save ourselves for marriage.” 🙄
Conversely, the Dutch are known for their tolerance surrounding sexuality — they even appear to be somewhat proud of it. Many people know Amsterdam’s Red Light District, the suggestive Dutch art, and the country’s commitment to sexual equality.
The Dutch approach is one of openness, practicality, and liberalism. Their belief is that sexuality is a natural part of life.
They are practical about it and think that people will have sex anyway, so might as well create a safe, well-informed environment. Liberalism also ensures that people have the right to do what they want in their bedrooms.
Unlike a lot of American children, Dutch children receive subsidised comprehensive sex education, teaching children about love, sex, and relationships.
The Dutch mentality towards sex education puts America to shame. Because Dutch people have an open attitude towards sexuality and contraception, the tiny country boasts some of the lowest rates of teen pregnancy, abortion, and STDs.
The U.S. not only has a famously high teen pregnancy rate, but nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended or unplanned — which can have severe negative effects on unprepared mothers and their children.
In the Netherlands, however, openness about sexuality and the ease of availability of contraception helps Dutch people to plan their family life and have children when they feel ready.
While Dutch parents may allow a teenager’s partner to spend the night and are realistic about the fact that they may have sex and are willing to give the couple contraception, the American approach is definitely a far cry from that.
2. Having babies in Holland
Nearly a quarter of Dutch women give birth at home under the supervision of a midwife. On top of assisting during the birth, Dutch midwives also provide prenatal care and advice for pregnant women. 🫄
I was shocked the first time I heard that home birth was still reasonably common in the Netherlands. However, the majority of people live within 15 minutes of a hospital, so at the slightest complication in the home birth, the hospital really is a couple of steps away.
After giving birth, either at home or in a hospital, women are entitled to maternity care (something which is apparently a luxury in the U.S.) In what may be a magical cross between the Fairy Godmother and Mary Poppins, a qualified maternity nurse provides kraamzorg (postnatal care) to women who give birth under the Dutch healthcare system.
READ MORE | Everything you need to know about maternity leave in the Netherlands in 2023
The maternity nurse helps new mothers to care for their newborns with advice, health checks, and even assisting with household chores like laundry and making meals for other children. Wat leuk!
Meanwhile, in the U.S., most women give birth in hospitals with medical doctors assisting their deliveries. And while the doctors may assist with some prenatal care and with the birth itself, post-natal care isn’t often a thing.
3. Playing instead of doing homework
Another difference between Dutch children and American children is the approach toward “playtime.” In the Netherlands, play is encouraged and considered an important part of childhood development.
This idea is evident based on the endless amounts of children’s playgrounds, petting zoos, and even kid zones in stores! Not to mention, it’s normal to see Dutch kids playing outside whenever they can on their bikes, scooters, tricycles, or rollerblades. 🚲
Although mandatory schooling starts at the age of five, over 95% of Dutch four-year-olds attend early childhood education, and 63% of two-and-a-half to three-year-old children attend some sort of playgroup.
Through play, children learn how to react in situations, confrontations, and social settings. From the commonness of children’s playgroups to small amounts of homework and dedicated children’s play zones, Dutch children are encouraged to spend time happily playing and socialising.
4. The laid-back Dutch parenting style
After hours of playing, the Dutch parenting mantra of rust (rest), regelmaat (regularity), and reinheid (cleanliness) illustrate a significant difference in Dutch and American family life.
By adhering to the three R’s, Dutch parents create an environment of stability for their children. Children need plenty of sleep, a structure of routine, and to keep clean to avoid harmful germs and diseases.
Rather than assuming that a child will sleep when they are tired or is unable to sleep through the night, the Dutch simply adhere to a regular bedtime, creating rhythm and comfort. 💤
READ MORE | Gezellig: an essential Dutch concept
This is dramatically different from American cultural norms that encourage consistent stimulation and arousal in children to promote cognitive development and achievement.
Think “helicopter parents” who overschedule their children by making them do lots of extracurricular activities while also pressuring them to get high grades.
5. A bona fide welfare state for Dutch kids and families
Studying social policies in the Netherlands highlighted the Dutch commitment to families for me. In America, they tend to leave this subject to the private sector.
The Dutch government tries to reconcile demands of work-life and family responsibility. Policies like paid maternal and paternal leave to take care of their sick child and child benefit packages seem like some type of alternate universe compared to the U.S., which requires employers to do none of the above.
The Netherlands is so concerned with policies for children that they also encourage the Child-Friendly Cities Network — where cities compete with local initiatives to promote the rights and interests of children. 👶
One example of their initiatives is reserving 3% of residential land for children’s playgrounds, sandboxes, etc.
If you don’t believe me yet about how different things are in the U.S., wait until you read this: the U.S. is the only other country, apart from Somalia, which hasn’t signed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 🙃
I will obviously never know if I would have had an even happier childhood in the Netherlands. I would probably speak quieter in restaurants, not be phased by suggestive art around the city, and have a basic understanding of water technology from building sand dykes at the beach.
Not only that, but I would undoubtedly be a better cyclist, know more than just one language, and be totally accepting of French fries as a complete dinner option. But happier? Geen idee.
Why do you think Dutch kids are so happy? Tell us in the comments below!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in November 2015 but was updated in September 2023 for your reading pleasure.
Excellent work and interesting ideas.
I grew up in the Netherlands but raised my two children (for the most part) in the US, so I know about the big differences between child rearing in the Netherlands and the US, in my opinion very well described in this article.
It says more about the States than Holland unfortunately
all true, except “speak quieter in reataurants”: tt does not apply here ! Nice piece, very informative
I think you missed a big part of the Dutch calvanistic culture in this article. Also kids are happy in school because they are treated like little humans who have a brain for exploring and therefore having discussions with your teacher is very acceptable and respected. The hierarchy in schools are not so strict (teachers are often called by their first names) compared to schools in the USA. NL also has the one of the highest rate where people work part-time purely for having a life-work balance. Even higher management. And everyone in NL has internet access.
We like the BBC-television only Fools and horses. It is a mirror of our lives. Its a part of us we like to see.
That was a big grin from me. Thanks for sharing this insight. I never knew we were such a happy country for children. Although I am very happy. Always have been too and I am sixty two now. I’ll share this on Facebook as I have quite a few US readers of my blog.
Greetje
I was born in the Netherlands and moved to America when I was about 3 or 4. While my brothers got live more of their childhoods there. I am 100% sure I would have been happier had I still lived there. Thanks mom.
America seems a much more violent place for children to grow up. Many more live in poverty and school and street shootings common. Such children seem to have much more to be happy about
I think Dutch kids are more indulged and act like little kings and queens getting their way all the time. The US is such a different culture and way of life, so I’m not sure if you can compare. I should imagine most parents would choose the Netherlands as the rate of poverty and shootings in the US is alarming, but if you compare like for like (parents and children in relatively same social situation) I’m not sure who is the happiest. I’m sure it changes from family to family.
Thank you! It is hard to compare apples to oranges.
This was the first thing I noticed when I moved here in Holland from Texas. It was beautiful to see children playing outside without adult supervision or riding through the forests after dark. I agree with everything written except talking loud in restaurants. They have some with playgrounds that are loud with laughter but children know their manners there. The children show respect and love their elders. Both parents and children show more public displays of affection towards each other in Texas. US loves their children and think they should play more too but the amount of homework makes it impossible. It is the system. It is broken. USA is busy helping other countries financially including fighting wars for them while many of their own children live in poverty. They don’t have money to buy a nice bike or go to a zoo. The streets are not made of gold as most countries think! I love USA. It has pros and cons just like Holland does. One thing I don’t understand is why so many suicides among the young people in Holland? They have doubled since 2018. Maybe since the quarantine it has changed for the better. I hope. This could be the next subject to address on DutchReview.
Dutch kids are happy because often “Mama” is home
What a ridiculous comparison. First of all, you are comparing the culture of a 17 million person sized country with a 350 million person sized country. The US is incredibly diverse and has a plethora of micro cultures, many of which hold as many (or greater) differences as different countries in Europe. Having grown up in California, my experience of childhood, teenagehood, and young adulthood is far more diverse, progressive, and engaging than what I observe living in the Netherlands. Here you must fit into the social norm, even if people are tolerant of differences on the surface, whereas in the United States (at least in progressive states on the coasts) you can truly live your life your way, without private judgment and skepticism. Children will always be happier when they live in a bubble as they dominate the Netherlands, but bubbles do not help them grow into deeply empathetic, open minded, purpose-driven adults.
What a ridiculous comparison. First of all, you are comparing the culture of a 17 million person sized country with a 350 million person sized country. The US is incredibly diverse and has a plethora of micro cultures, many of which hold as many (or greater) differences as different countries in Europe. Having grown up in California, my experience of childhood, teenagehood, and young adulthood is far more diverse, progressive, and engaging than what I observe living in the Netherlands. In NL you must ultimately fit into the social norm, even if people are tolerant of differences on the surface, whereas in the United States (at least in progressive states on the coasts) you can truly express your opinion, think outside the box, and live your life your way, without broad judgment and skepticism. Children will always be happier when they live in a bubble as they do in the Netherlands, but bubbles do not help them grow into deeply empathetic, open minded, purpose-driven adults who will drive real change in the world.