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Baptism In Finland, the first celebration of a child’s life is the baptism organised a few months after the birth. Most children are baptised in the Evangelical Lutheran faith. In the baptism, the child is joined to the church. The baptism may be organised in a church, but it is often held at home or in the premises of the church. A priest performs the baptism. The child must have at least two godparents, who must usually be members of the church and have completed the confirmation class. Additional godparents may include members of other churches or people who are not members of any church, if the baptising priest approves. Usually one of the godparents, the godmother or godfather, holds the child as they are baptised. The ceremony consists of hymns, prayer and the naming, and at the end the priest wets the child’s head three times with baptismal water. During the baptism, the baby is clothed in a long, white gown. Some coffee and refreshments are usually served after the religious ceremony. Only the nearest relatives and godparents are usually invited to baptisms. The baptised child receives presents. A traditional gift to the baby from a godparent is a silver spoon with the child’s name, date, weight and height of birth engraved on it. Other guests may give clothes, toys and money.
education. Criminal responsibility starts. 15-year olds have the right to get a driving license for a moped and a tractor, and they may drive a motor- boat. • 16-year-olds may get a driving license for a light motorcycle. Compulsory education ends in the year that a person turns 16 years old. • According to legislation on sexual offences, the age of consent is 16 years, which means that an adult who has sexual contact with someone who is under the age of 16 is committing a crime. • Sexual relations with a person over the age of 16 but under the age of 18 is also a crime, if the minor is dependent on the adult, e.g. employer and employee or teacher and student, etc. • 17-year-olds no longer receive child benefits. • Compulsory military service starts at the beginning of the year that the boy turns 18. A person becomes an adult at the age of 18. Many things that have previously been prohibited become allowed on a person’s 18th birthday. In fact, 18 years of age is the most important age limit in Finland, because it allows anyone to: • get a driver’s licence for a car, truck or motorcycle. Driving school may be started 6 months prior to the birthday at the earliest. • get a passport without consent from a parent • buy mild alcoholic beverages and tobacco and enter restaurants licensed to serve alcohol • get married and resign from the church without consent from a parent • gain the right to independent income support, when the right to receive maintenance from parents ends If a person studies at an institute for second-
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ary education, the parents’ income is considered in determining the amount of student allowance until the person is 20 years old. gain the right to vote, i.e. they may vote in national and municipal elections. a 20-year-old may buy strong alcoholic beverages a 21-year-old may get a driving license for a heavy combination vehicle or a bus. Nice to know!
Confirmation In Finland, many 15-year-olds attend confirmation class, where they receive Christian education. Going to confirmation class is a traditional part of normal life for many young people and they take it for granted. Only those who have completed confirmation class may become godparents and be married in a church. The confirmation class finishes with a confirmation ceremony in the church. The young people participating in the ceremony wear white robes, albs, provided by the congregation. After the ceremony, many families host a confirmation party at their home. Confirmation parties are often celebrated within the extended family. Godparents often give golden cross necklaces as confirmation presents. Other suitable presents include other jewellery, books and money. Until a few decades ago, confirmation acted as a rite of passage from youth to adulthood. Today, this concept is only referenced in sayings.