This week on International Wednesday: In the centre of the Bible Belt of the United States lies Alabama, a state of sweet tea and even sweeter lemonade, strong conservative views and steady front-porch rocking chairs. And in the middle of it all lives 17-year old Noah Pilcher.
Auteur: Mary-Jo Wegener
This week on International Wednesday: Iceland. Ranked first out of 144 countries by the World Economic Forum for being the most gender equal, the Icelandic naming tradition looks to be at odds with this. An Icelandic child is at birth by default classified as its father’s son or daughter through its surname. The surname is formed by the fathers first name and the addition of –son or –dóttir, meaning son or daughter respectively. Relic to a patriarchal mindset, there currently is the debate about changing this practice. How can cultural traditions be upheld while embracing modern values?