Our topic for May: Where is the family heading?
It has been almost 14 years since my husband and I decided to live in Switzerland and start a family. Our own parents live a good 500 and almost 400 kilometres away – in North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria.
No set days to visit the grandparents, no help from Granny and Grandad when the children were ill or the nursery was closed. It wasn't that we deliberately chose not to ask for their help. It was simply a consequence of the move: from the very start, our little family had to fend for itself in day-to-day life. If it hadn't been for the neighbours and friends, whose support we could always count on. Even to this day.
Experts such as sociologist Norbert F. Schneider refer to these local networks of neighbours and friends as «caring communities» – groups that come together because sharing the load simply makes life easier. This is especially true for parents.
Norbert F. Schneider is one of nine experts interviewed by my colleague Sandra Markert for our feature «Where is the family heading?». Together with them, the journalist has drawn up ten propositions to explore what really matters to families. You can read these insightful findings here.
What effect does hours of scrolling have on the adolescent brain? Florin Schranz has been exploring this question over the past few weeks. Florin is from Adelboden in the canton of Bern, is currently studying at the Ringier Publishing House's journalism school, and is the first graduate of Jouschu to complete part of his training at *Fritz+Fränzi*.
For his research, he has spoken to renowned experts as well as school pupils. And this much we can already say: Florin is very open-minded and eager to learn. He knows that life is rarely black and white – and that it is the shades of grey in particular that deserve special attention. You'll be reading a lot more from him, we promise! You can find his first «Fritz+Fränzi» story here.
Kind regards,
Yours sincerely, Evelin Hartmann
