11 Parenting Styles From Around the World

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Amy Morin, LCSW
Amy Morin
Amy Morin, LCSW

Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, international bestselling author and host of the The Verywell Mind Podcast.

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Updated on January 13, 2022
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Our ideas about the best ways to raise kids stem largely from our culture. The way you grew up, the values you were given, and the cultural norms you witnessed influence how you raise your kids.

Not surprisingly, parents from various parts of the globe have different ideas about how to raise the next generation. Here are some of the differences inparenting stylesfrom around the world.

1

Babies in Denmark Stay Outside in Their Strollers While Parents Shop or Dine

Culture plays a big role in how kids are raised.
Palasha / iStock / Getty Images Plus

In some parts of the world, a time-tested way to take babies to a restaurant or shopping is to leave the stroller—and the baby—outside.

Parents in Denmark often park strollers on the sidewalk and leave their baby to sleep outside while they enjoy a meal at a restaurant.

Many of their strollers havehigh tech baby monitorsso parents can keep an eye on their little ones while they’re shopping or dining indoors.

2

Babies in Norway Nap Outside

It’s common practice in Nordic countries for babies to nap outside. Parents in Norway, Sweden, and Finland believe that sleeping outside offers health benefits.

Even in below-freezing weather, babies are often bundled up and put down for a rest in their strollers in the cold temperatures. Parents believe it’s better for kids to have fresh air and they think it reduces their risk of catching a cold or flu from the indoor air.

3

Kids in Finland Get Frequent Breaks From School

In Finland, elementary-aged school kids take a 15-minute break every 45 minutes. With more frequent breaks to move around and play, Finnish kids are thought to be able to keep better focused on their work.

With one of the best education systems in the world, they may be on to something. Frequent breaks in their routine may help children stay on task longer.

4

Kids in Hong Kong, India, and Taiwan Stay Up Late

父母在世界各地有不同的ideas aboutwhen kids should go to sleep. While parents in New Zealand and Australia have a bedtime around 7:30 p.m., parents in Hong Kong, India, and Tai