The number of second-generation Finns - meaning people born in Finland with one or both parents born abroad - climbed above the 100,000 mark in 2025.
Smallsteps is counted among them of course. But as far as many people I know are concerned, she doesn't quite "qualify" as being foreign-background, even when they know that I am Australian. Just the other day, a mother of one of Smallsteps' friends was talking to me about how many of the kids in her child's former class are of "foreign-background" and it created problems. We were speaking in English, and this was said without any kind of recognition that Smallsteps is one of those children. This is because Smallsteps is white enough and speaks Finnish.
She will have it pretty easy compared to other kids.
Other foreign background kids who are not white (even if born here and speak Finnish like a native), will unlikely ever be seen as Finnish and they will suffer various forms of discrimination because of it. All through their life they will get the follow up question to "where are you from?" of
"No, where are you really from?"
Smallsteps won't get much of this, but what she will get are people who make assumptions about her background based on her looks, and "speak freely" like the mother of her friend. This in itself is going to create all kinds of awkward situations and conversations, especially as anti-foreign sentiment builds on the back of foreigners getting blamed for whatever problems are country might face, whether it be rising crime or poor employment figures.
Not that a meritocracy is always the best solution, but it would be interesting to see what happens over time to the integration of foreign-background people if the most qualified were the ones who got the opportunities. Not just certificate-based qualification, but if it was possible to put the best fit into the role without having to regard skin colour or perceived skill on background. Would the unemployment rate of foreigners in Finland stay static?
I once worked in a company that had about 200 foreigners and 10 Finns. Nine of the Finns were management, and none of the foreigners would get a look in, even when they spoke Finnish. However, many of the foreigners (localisation testing for mobile phones) were well and truly over-skilled for their roles, with professors and doctors, masters and engineers sitting there doing basic language testing. And this job was a "good job" compared to what they had been doing prior, with them being cleaners and garbage men, stocking shelves and changing bed linens.
These weren't Finnish-born people.
However those who stayed, generally end up like me, having a family and having one of those 100,000+ second-generation Finnish children who may or may not blend in visually. But, that child grows up in a household that likely doesn't have access to the same opportunities and experiences as a kid born to Finnish parents. This obviously has an effect on how their life turns out in many respects, as well as their attitudes in comparison to most others. Whether it makes them more competitive or not depends on many variables, like what kind of neighbourhood, school environment and social network they are part of.
Most of my friends are Finnish, though we also have a few "foreign" family friends also who have children. However for the most part, I would say that Smallsteps lives a pretty traditional Finnish childhood, but there are obvious differences. For instance, we speak English at home and she speaks Finnish when it is just the Mother around. But, since I don't ski, skate (well), get into hockey that much, care about Christmas foods etc - we also have differences. But the main difference is that despite many factors, I don't have the same work opportunities as neighbours. This isn't just because of my lacking Finnish skills, but because assumptions are made about skills in general. For instance, people assume I never went to university and when they find out I did, they say about how Finnish education systems are the best in the world, to diminish the education of others - even though that is no longer true and hasn't been for a couple decades.
While racism and similar might not be as overt as it once was in the world, there is little denying that it isn't present and all of these differences mount up to create challenges that many people will not have to face. These many small hurdles compound to create quite large variations in outcomes on average and can have profound effects on both the individual and society. It would seem easier for many to cut out this challenge and have a homogenised population, because that means less conflict. But I would suspect that the same level of conflict would be present, it would just be on even more minor differences between people and we can see this from the past and the present.
I have always found it pretty stupid to make judgements based on arbitrary traits like looks, but I equally find it stupid to make assumptions that "diversity is valuable" when it is also only using those same arbitrary traits. Diversity of thought and skill is valuable when it adds collateral to the potential, but thought and skill diversity isn't inherently present just because someone has different skin, eye or hair colour, or how they identify sexually or socially. It is nonsense.
Yet, we can make some generalisations on things based on likely experience, and this is what many Finns are doing when they make their assumptions about foreigners, foreign-background and the like also. Often they make an assumption that a foreigner comes to Finland to run away from bad situations elsewhere, like war, poverty and the like, and most can't really comprehend people moving here by choice. This means that they assume that foreigners should consider themselves "lucky to be here" and therefore willing to accept less than what would be offered to a Finnish person. As a result, most foreigners in the country are going to end up having that experience, and if they want to stay, will have to accept it, because they will never be seen as more than the assumption by most Finns. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy, and over the space of decades, has profound effects on the outcomes of the second-gen children.
Maybe it balances over time, but if you look at even the countries that have been almost entirely built on foreigners like the US and Australia, centuries later, the problems still exist. Not as overtly as once, but in the current environment, becoming more so again. And as more economic pressures impact countries globally, it is only going to get worse, where people will demand locals first with "local" being people who look like them.
With all of our intelligence and potential, humans are pretty stupid creatures that limit our results because we are unable to get over even the most irrelevant of discomforts. They say "assumptions are dangerous" yet we keep making them, even when we have very little direct experience to inform us. And our behaviours aren't based on what will generate the best results, but what is easiest for us to accept.
Even the conversation about kids born to foreigners creates problems, because in the minds of all the Finns, all those foreign born children look and act differently to them, even so the differences might be by force, not by choice. People will act accordingly to the way they are treated. It doesn't mean that each individual will react in the same way, but it does mean that it impacts on how they move forward through life. And no, it doesn't mean that everyone is damaged, because for those who learn from experience in order to grow, they can use it as a fuel source. But for many, the tools to grow from hardship haven't been instilled, so damage is the likely outcome.
Most people believe they are above prejudice based on arbitrary traits, but very few of us are, because we are human and we make judgements and assumptions, before we even become aware of our thoughts. Whether we let these things influence our behaviours towards others in how we treat them, well that is more within our control, but even that takes awareness and intention and in a world where most people have become more self-focused and less connected to others, it is probably degrading also.
It is going to be interesting to see how Smallsteps progresses through life and deals with what she faces, but I am not setting her up as a victim of circumstances, but an agent in her own creation. It is up to me to try and fill her toolbox, but it will be up to her to use the tools she has to make her life the best she can. She is almost certainly going to face challenges from those around her based on her background, and challenges she carries from the home, because of my background.
We all face challenges.
Nothing is fair, nor equal.
And no matter what our background, we are all going to be replaced. Hopefully by better.
Taraz
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Poignant question one needs to examine both both sides, growing up 'white' African with long linage on the land, it's not simple. Cultural outlook from tribe to tribe vary, mixture of many languages, religions, ideology, strengths and weaknesses, we are South Africans.
Some children flourish while others flounder across all colours, known fact is our current government have implemented 145 race laws, 'whites' unable to obtain education in certain universities, employment most difficult when upholding draconian laws imposed.
One can only arm the youth with best tools in knowledge, respect toward each other with empathy. Always try consider walking in the other persons shoes, life is a long lesson we never totally understand everything.
Seems quite simple to dilute it all down to "black and white" doesn't it?
Do you think there is any hope in South Africa for ever finding a decent approach to humanity?
This country splits 'colour' unlike anywhere else White, Black, Indian, Coloured, Asians, racial laws only affect the 'white'. Current government really trying to dismantle our Afrikaaner education, with farmers being targeted by racial hate from certain entities.
Ironically many now suggesting Apartheid if one has to call it that, Zulu in Zululand, Xhosa in Transkei, etc. not sure where the rest of us fit in, most live within their communities already. Suburbs predominantly within cultural groups, my neighbours, home owners either side of me are Zulu of Christian faith.
In time hopefully settle into more harmonious life for everyone.
What is the definition of "white" these days there? Is it visual - is there a tone chart?
It is like a bad screen play, isn't it? I know you have to live it and that is terrible, but you must just shake your head at times at the stupidity.
Pffft a similar-but-different conversation happened at work one time and I was like WHAT DO YOU THINK I AM.
At least the person talking to you doesn't notice the colour of your particular skin I guess? -_-
My kids are similar, they're white passing as long as they don't go outside in summer at all and if you don't look too closely.
And I'm really glad I don't have to deal with the...people...that blather about how they feel like they're in "a foreign country" too regularly because otherwise I'd be a lot angrier than I usually am.
At least over here most people are smart enough to clarify "what's your ethnic background" when the question of "where are you from" or "what's your nationality" is met with "here".
Isn't that where the "they're stealing our jobs and our women" thing came from to begin with XD And also driving down the wages of jobs no one else wants to do? XD
Do you have "diversity hires" over there?
Yeh I see it a bit here where for some people you're trash because you live or grew up in this suburb or go/went to that school. And failing that just invent something to discriminate/bully someone about and never let truth get in the way of a good story.
I think Smallsteps gets even whiter in the summer!
Super annoying.
Yes! Stealing our women has always been an interesting one for me. What do "our women" think of that?
Is she like the Irish girl sunbathing meme? XD
Is your wife one of "our women"? Can you ask? :D I am going to have to try to remember to ask some of my friends that would count as "our women" XD
I wonder are these things the outcome of nationalism, or just human nature? People simplify, label and assum, it is not always moral, but it is common. The real question is: do we accept that as just how it is; or do we actively challenge it in our own behavior?
Because fairness is not something societies magically achieve. It is something individuals choose, repeatedly, often when it iss inconvenient. And if we all admit we carry biases (which is thoroughly natural), then responsibility becomes personal rather than cultural.
So maybe the focus is not whether one place is better or worse, but whether we, as human, are willing to be more honest, more aware. And a little less comfortable in our assumptions.
You are doing your part by giving her the tools. The rest is her journey...
Human nature I assume. Nationalism is an expression of it.
And this is the problem - people don't want to take personal responsibility, they want an algorithm to make the decisions for them.
I hope she has a great one, despite the direction of the world.
The 'background hurdles' are often the ones that define our character the most, because those are the ones no one sees us jumping over. It’s easy to perform when there’s a crowd, but keeping the pace when the obstacles are quiet and constant is where the real work happens. Thought-provoking as always, @tarazkp.
I can just picture Smallsteps in that photo – a lovely little girl with her puppy. A big hug full of blessings.
It will be interesting as she doesn't see herself as any different at this stage and she isn't, but in time, there will be some level of differentiation made by others.
Implicit bias is probably one of the biggest things people need to overcome.
I don't even know if it is possible to truly overcome it, but it is possible to be aware when it might happen.
IBut Finlad is the happiest country, right? At least that is what they say. I have also read where it is a great country for expats. I have even looked into what it takes to immigrate there. Found out we qualify. Very tempting except the cold extremes.
Personally, I think all people carry bias of some sort. They may not mean to, but our society and culture creates it. Look at the news, music, TV and movies. A lot of it builds into sterotypes.
Of course it is. Full of smiles.... It is decent for some backgrounds more than others. The Americans I know here have a good time.
For sure we do. How it plays out in our behaviour can be quite different also.
If it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg to move, I might start putting some serious consideration to it.
my kids are also all mixed up. but here in usa and definitely in philippines, it is considered, IMO, very desirable and their looks are considered so much more nice.. :D
Yes, it is the same here. But that doesn't translate into opportunity necessarily.
Cute kids.
See this is where America really shines. Foreigners here have the same opportunities as natives and are frequently a lot more successful than white born here Americans.
In some respects it works there, but I don't think it is about providing the same opportunities, but rather fostering a highly competitive and cutthroat environment that leaves many people behind.
Highly competitive is correct, but only the dumb and lazy can't make it here...
I think that our society still has a lot of progress to make in appreciating the worth of diverse experiences that go beyond just appearance.
Weird isn't it? All this advancement in technology, and we still think and act like cavemen.
That advancement has made us weird.
We are definitely far weirder than we were not too long ago!
I wonder if have any non lithuanian features and what percentage of my looks are more common in other countries.
What are considered Lithuanian features?
No idea but I was born in Lithuania and my family were lithuanians as well so I assumed that I must have some kind of local features.😛
I wonder if you picked 100 people randomly from each country (that are "stereotypical looking") and average them, would they look different to countries close by?
I respect how you frame things with Small steps as well. Not as a victim, but not ignoring reality either. That balance acknowledging challenges while still focusing on agency is probably one of the most important things a parent can pass on.
Unfortunately they will always be seen as non Finnish and are being judged no matter what they have to offer. I have mixed race grand kids with one albino and one of mixed race. Unfortunately they do not fit in anywhere because they are neither white or black. My grandson will most likely have a different life because he is whiter than white. One of the reasons why I will be moving them out of this country and the aim of setting them up for their futures elsewhere.
You will always be judged as I was being British born in England yet seen as an outsider due to my accent. I know it was held against me and was over looked twice for promotions at work. I think working for yourself is what bypasses this being judged mentality and is the only way life can work for the "outsiders".