When Emma Hughes moved from the U.S. to Sweden, she didn’t expect a culture shock—especially from the dads.
At 24, working as a nanny, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing: parks full of fathers pushing strollers, packing snacks, and chatting while their kids played. “These Scandinavian dads?” she said. “Chef’s kiss. Even the best American dads I’ve worked with would still be the Scandinavian bare minimum.”
Emma admitted it made her question her own thinking. “When I see dads doing the basics—feeding, changing, showing up—it still feels surprising. That says a lot about how we were raised to see parenting.” In Sweden, she learned, men get paid parental leave and are expected to share the load at home. “It shows what happens when a culture raises boys to care and problem-solve,” she said.
Her story struck a nerve with women everywhere. Maybe equality isn’t just about policy—it’s about changing what we expect from love, family, and fatherhood. 💛
