The White Falcon - 22.04.1983, Side 9

Keflavik, Iceland SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT 9
Real progress made in women’s rights
The equal rights movement in Iceland (specif-
ically women’s rights as there are no established
minorities) has been going strong for many
years. By law, no job may be advertised that is
closed to female applicants. Another law says
there must be no discrimination in pay scales—
the duties and requirements of the task set the
pay rate, not the sex of the person holding that
job.
Although women have reached high execu-
tive and professional positions in Icelandic soc-
iety, the proportion of women in senior posts
has remained low, as is common in most coun-
tries. The number of women who receive univer-
sity degrees is lower than that of men, although
there is no sexual restriction on entry into higher
education. Consequently, there is a smaller
proportion of women lawyers, business manag-
ers and doctors than men. At the same time, men
are outnumbered by women working in legal
offices, banks, businesses and hospitals. Why?
Women still tend to fill the jobs traditionally held
for their sex—such as secretaries, bank clerks
and nurses.
Many reasons are given by sociologists for
why there are fewer women than men in senior
posts in Iceland. They range from economic
There is a truism that “human nature is the
same everywhere.” But even in the United States
people’s habits and behavior differ depending
on their background and environment. Discos
and movie theaters can be found virtually every-
where, but how they are used, and how often,
and by whom, can tell you a lot about the
community.
Icelanders are very sociable and enjoy com-
pany. And on the whole social gatherings con-
tinue to center around the home. But there is a
difference between American and Icelandic life-
styles. Whereas an American may often invite a
new neighbor or workmate to a casual cookout
in an effort to make the guest feel at home, the
Icelander is more inclined to offer a first invita-
tion to a more formal evening meal. The idea
behind this is to offer a guest the best the host
can offer—an idea that goes back beyond the
Saga age when hospitality brought the host
honor. Knowing the lengths the host has gone to
provides the reason for formal remarks exchang-
ed by Icelanders at the end of the meal.
The guest says “Thank you for the meal,” the
host then replies “May it do you good.” Natu-
rally, invitations to someone’s home for an even-
ing meal are not offered lightly. There is no rea-
son to wonder if an invitation is sincere—it is. On
the other hand, if you invite an lcelanderto“look
you up the next time he’s in the neighborhood,”
do not be surprised when there’s a knock on the
door.
If you plan to drop by an Icelander’s home
without a prearranged time, you might consider
phoning first, although it’s neither expected, nor
required. However, you should be aware of the
daily schedule and habits. A mid-to-late after-
Iceland publishes more books, magazines
and newspapers percapitathan any other coun-
try in the world. But does that mean those publi-
cations are read?
The answer is a conclusive yes. Most house-
holds have a small library and the booksellers
don’t appear to be suffering too much. But that is
a superficial view. Solid evidence comes from
statistical research. About a half million Icelan-
dic books, that is to say books in Icelandic but
including translations of foreign works, are sold
each year. That works out to about two and a
half books per person. As this figures excludes
pressures in the home which mean females end
their education earlier than their male siblings—
to leaving a career outside the home to concen-
trate on raising a family.
Whatever the reasons, the statistics tell their
own story. Over 50 percent of the married
women work outside the home—yet they earn
between 30 and 40 percent less than men on the
labor market. On analysis, part of the blame for
this must go to wages set for manual work. Most
of the labor force in fish factories, wool mills,
stores and offices is female. But those same
factories, mills, stores and offices are managed
by men.
Promotion by merit, rather than sex, is one of
the goals of the women’s rights movement in
Iceland. Another aim is for increased awareness
by women that education, especially at the
higher levels, is well within their reach.
It must be working. Government ministers are
now questioned when men are chosen over
women for promotion in government agencies.
The election ofVigdisFinnbogadottir is another
example. She is the world’s first woman to be
elected president in democratic elections. She is
Iceland’s Head of State.
noon visit is generally welcome and probably
will prompt your host to bring out coffee and
cakes. It would be unwise to turn down the offer
of refreshments as that would deprive the Ice-
landerthe opportunity to be hospitable. Evening
visits tend to start later in the evening than in the
U.S.—certainly no earlier than 8:30, and even 10
p.m. is seldom considered too late.
Conversation is never a problem with Ice-
landers. As a nation of avid readers, and with a
seemingly unquenchable thirst for knowledge,
they are quick to debate the merits and demerits
of almost anything. Personal independence may
often assert itself in discussions, and that means
everyone is expected to join in. Conversations
often seem to be like arguments as those pres-
ent usually polarize themselves into opposing
views—although the view supported need not
represent the speaker’s actual opinions. The Ice-
lander appears to feel that more new informa-
tion and viewpoints are revealed by disagree-
ments than agreements, and will often arrange
to support an opposing position to the others
present “just to keep it interesting.”
Another difference in social customs between
countries can be found in these conversations.
The Icelander will tend to exclude his personal
life from discussions. Unlike the American who
may offer extensive biographical details as a
means of introduction, the Icelander seldom will
go into personal details. For instance, a theoret-
ical discussion of religions would not be out of
place, while asking for a description of one’s
personal religious beliefs is not polite. If you
want to be safe, stick to cultural interests, sports,
world events and politics... again avoiding ques-
tions on personal political beliefs.
all foreign books bought in the original lan-
guage, hundreds of thousands of which are sold
each year, the per person ration climbs astrono-
mically.
In terms of published titles the overall per cap-
ita output of Icelandic books is three or four
times larger than that of the Scandinavian coun-
tries and about 20 times greater than that of the
United States.
If these books weren’t read the publishers
would go broke. They haven’t. In fact new pub-
lishing houses keep entering the marketplace.
(See BOOKSELLERS, page 11)
Discos? Yes!
But tradition too!
What do you think of when you read the word
culture? Do you think of overdressed people
attending a hi-fallutin’ concert where high-brow,
music is played, then to gather in the interval to
discuss in simpering terms the merits of the
string section? If so, you’ve got it wrong!
Culture merely reflects the socially transmit-
ted behavior patterns—so Iceland’s cultural
scene reflects the country’s history and tradi-
tions, and also its modern contacts with the rest
of the world. The disco scene in Iceland is part of
its culture and although it might not be tradi-
tional it certainly is social.
The scene also includes movie theaters. The
vast majority (over 90%) of films shown are in
English with Icelandic subtitles—and most of
those English language movies come from the
United States.
The live theater in Iceland is more difficult for
visitors to appreciate. Naturally, the language
spoken on stage is Icelandic, even though the
play may not be. The standard of production is
very high, Icelandic professional and amateur
theater groups have appeared to great acclaim
in international festivals. And internationally
known theater companies come to Iceland too
—so the contact promotes lively productions of
the best works available.
Ballet and opera have not been forgotten. Ice-
landic performers have appeared widely abroad
and some work full time in other countries.
Guest performances are common so followers
of these art forms have no need to feel left out
while in Iceland.
The symphony orchestras have regular con-
certs throughout the fall, winter and spring. The
standard is high, considered by many critics
to be better than in cities three times the size of
Reykjavik. During the season there are many
recitals of chamber music as well. But even this
statement doesn’t do justice to the music scene.
Recitals of all kinds of music are regular attrac-
tions—and that means everything from organ
solos to jazz, and baroque to punk.
Art galleries abound with, again, something
for everyone. Many international exhibitions
come to Reykjavik galleries and there’s plenty of
good Icelandic material as well. The Icelander’s
love of form and shape (just look at the architec-
ture of their public and private buildings) is
highly developed.
To explore Iceland’s cultural life will add a lot
to anyone’s visit to this country. As a mid-
Atlantic meeting spot it offers the latest of Amer-
ican styles to the most traditional of European
values. But always there’s a touch of Iceland to
add its own flavor.
REVOLUTION, from 3
led to spiralling wages and prices; this in turn led
to inflation. For the first time in centuries every-
one had enough to do and enough money to
spend.
The final formal links with Denmark were
ended in 1944 when Iceland declared itself a
republic.
When the war ended Iceland quickened the
pace of its modernization. Shipping, both mer-
chant and fishing vessels, were renewed, agri-
culture was mechanized and new industries
established. Iceland joined the rest of the world’s
air carriers and pioneered low fares across the
Atlantic.
Politically, Iceland was afounding member of
both the United Nations and the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization. It has pushed for greater
control by coastal states over the economic
exploitation of the seas adjacent to them and it is
taking on all the responsibilities of a full-fledged
nation in today’s world.
Are Icelanders social or argumentative?
Nation is booksellers’ paradise