i didn't say expensive childcare was important, but social
treatment of
women which may or may not involve state support. women in germany are
treated badly both by society and the state. (e.g. the tax system
favours non-working married women; the school system requires a parent
to pick up the kid for a mid day meal, so if the mother doesn't do it
she's a ravensmutter[1]).
Now, in Switzerland, the kids are expected to walk themselves back
and forth for the mid day meal. One sometimes sees the littlest ones
wearing little reflective vest-like things (and there are plenty of
signs up now warning drivers that it's almost time for the rentrée
and to remember that small children have the right of way) but
otherwise they're indistinguishable from everyone else going home (or
out -- several places offer special student rates) for lunch.
-Dave
