According to the Observer, women are leading the financial revolution in Iceland (via Marginal Revolution). Young men have been blamed for economic crisis in their country, and they are turning to 40-something women to save the day.
been overwhelmed by an economic disaster that is threatening its very
survival. But for a generation of fortysomething women, the havoc is
translating into an opportunity to step into the positions vacated by
the men blamed for the crisis, and to play a leading role in creating a
more balanced economy, which, they argue, should incorporate overtly
feminine values.
They believe that women, specifically mothers, have experience and skills that will counter act the greed and the immaturity that led to the crisis.
"I
don't have children – I decided that because I wanted to be free to
pursue my career – but motherhood is a value for all women. Ten or 15
years ago I wouldn't have wanted to say that motherhood was something
important, because that was not the rule of the game. But the value you
bring as a woman is the maternal aspect, the strength that comes from
motherhood."
Fascinating article.
Apt. 11d 
If maternal qualities don’t work, Iceland can always go back to the long boats. Apparently piracy is a growth industry.
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The various Scandinavian-speaking countries seem to have a more enlightened attitude towards women than just about anywhere else. It’s an interesting (and heartwarming) contrast with Anglo-American stereotypes of women as shallow, frivolous consumers who *ruin* the economy with their sprees at Sephora.
This probably dates back to the Viking era, when men would be gone for years and women had to run the farms and artisanal businesses. To treat them as frivolous children subordinate to their husbands would mean society circling the drain in a few years.
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So, another plus for the long boats. Also, they use green power.
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MH, my hubby has a huge weakness for vikings. He’s laughing at your long boat references.
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Thanks. Instead of buying a longboat, I’m selling the horns for Norwegians to make the hats.
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