Division of Classes:
Since many Western European countries are very rich, there are usually two types of people living there. The first type includes people that are not natives, but moved there because of multi-national corporations. These people tend to largely display their wealth with expensive cars, watches, houses, and electronics. The second type are people that are natives, and belong in the middle to upper class because of successful local businesses that are frequented by locals and tourists. Because of this cultural division, many people that have had ancestors also residing there are unhappy about this change of wealthy foreigners moving in. A cause of this exchange may include that Western Europe countries, especially France and Monaco are becoming very popular places to settle. They are also being currently regarded as "lands of opportunity" for many start-up businesses, and it is quite easy to find a job that only requires you to speak English there. Certain effects, however, include that cultural divide between these two groups of people, and the burial of many old traditions. |
Top: This infographic shows the number of billionaires in Europe, and their net worth by country. The increase of 51 new billionaires is largely due to already-successful businessmen choosing to move to Europe.
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Gender Roles:
Because Switzerland is often very traditional, many things are influenced by customs of ancestors in the past. One of these things, is of course, gender roles. In traditional culture, almost all women stayed at home to raise kids while men would work outside the home, bringing in money. Many people have still not adopted the modern mindset that both genders are equal, and women have the stability and strength to also work outside the home. Therefore, women are still left responsible for housework and are not as educated as men. Many companies and employers also still do not provide money for women during their maternal leave. However, much of this has slowly started to change, especially in more modernized countries, such as France, Germany, Monaco and Belgium. |
While this map is from 2013, not much has changed in the past 3 years, Western Europe is still strongly affected. Many countries still have not done anything to equalize pay for women and men.
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"Gender equality is not a 'women's concern' but the responsibility of all individuals and of the society as whole and requires the active contribution and input from both women and men."
-European Commission, 2015
-European Commission, 2015
Homelessness:
Despite many wealthy and middle-class people residing in Europe, homelessness is still a problem. Western Europe is experiencing a drag on their economy due to many people that are both homeless and jobless. Many countries have just recently started services to help people in need and to provide people without a home with food, medical care, and clothing. Germany has one of the worst homelessness rates, with about 591,000 people being homeless, 860,000 if you also count recent immigrants. Causes of homelessness include loss of jobs and lack of affordable housing, especially in richer countries, and also the "global economic crisis".
Despite many wealthy and middle-class people residing in Europe, homelessness is still a problem. Western Europe is experiencing a drag on their economy due to many people that are both homeless and jobless. Many countries have just recently started services to help people in need and to provide people without a home with food, medical care, and clothing. Germany has one of the worst homelessness rates, with about 591,000 people being homeless, 860,000 if you also count recent immigrants. Causes of homelessness include loss of jobs and lack of affordable housing, especially in richer countries, and also the "global economic crisis".