A column published on 3rd March at many finnish newspapers by Minna Kurki, a foreign news journalist in Lännen Media.
Column: Victoria and Daniel are the best thing that has happened to equality
Kurki writes that when people talked about Victoria's and Daniel's baby, she as a devoted republican did her best to stomp the news to the ground. So what if somewhere outside the borders of Finland gave birth to someone? She used all the standard arguments generally used against the monarchy: the fundamental injustice of inheritance, taxpayers' money, superficial babble....
A fellow pointed out that there are also happy news that unite people. Facebook was with boiling name speculations. Links were distributed, good luck was wished and stories were written. Kurki was retching inside her head. But Kurki was stopped by a phrase from a colleague on Facebook: "Victoria and Daniel are my ideal couple of equality", a colleague started the debate on gender equality and explained: "Victoria takes care of the hard work, childbearing, and is responsible for the crown in the future. Daniel informs about the baby, when the wife takes care of the baby and family for a moment. All active, independent operators who help each other."
Kurki admits that her colleague is right. Victoria and Daniel are the best thing that has happened to equality in recent years.
Of course Victoria and Daniel don't struggle with everyday problems that ordinary people face in ordinary work, family or social life. They are a well-balanced duo, which shares the work so that it in each case makes sense. They're flexible. They support each other. They have a common project.
At an early stage they were in the old fashioned way of speaking an odd duo: royal and a "ordinary" human being, fitness entrepreneur. When the relationship progressed, Daniel had to give up (or wanted to give up) of his gym career because of his royal career - and Victoria's career. Kurki says that she doesn't know what Daniel thinks, but at the photos he looks quite pleased.
Kurki writes that in general, stereotypes about equality in a partnership are changing. The man speaks, kisses, does the laundry and plays with the children, as women do. At many finnish homes the men cook nowadays, not the women. And men are on a paternity leave when their wives go back to work.
The essential thing of Victoria's and Daniel's doctrine is probably this: things may and can be decided how they want to, regardless of gender. Anyone can be what one wants, as long as both parties are satisfied. Things can be agreed according to the situation. Both can also receive it all: career, family and even free time. Kurki hopes that the same way of thinking would come to Finland, to it's society, employment and legislation. Learn from the monarchy, Finland.
Kolumni_ Victoria ja Daniel ovat parasta, mitä tasa-arvolle on tapahtunut _ Ulkomaat _ Kaleva.fi