Free Makeovers From the Dutch Government

Want a Makeover? Just Lose Your Job

June 10, 2010

Every pink slip has a silver lining, as long as you're Dutch. Unemployed women in the Netherlands are being given makeovers worth almost $1,700 — and the government is paying for them. I could get on board with this if the "makeovers" included interview lessons, a beautiful suit to make you look your best with prospective employers, and makeup and hair tips designed to help you put your best face forward when you're job hunting.

Unfortunately, though, the plan's stated purpose isn't nearly that empowering. Instead, the program is designed to help women find a new man instead of a new job. That's right, job seekers are being given makeovers, clothes, and life coaching in an effort to find them a "solvent husband." Why, that's almost as crazy as putting women in windows as though they were objects for sale. (Oh, wait.) If you were Dutch, would you protest or embrace this idea?

Source: Thinkstock

6 Comments

hazelberry 2 years 49 weeks

I love the liberal mindset of the Dutch people! You are a great example for the U.S.

jaxsprat 2 years 49 weeks

After reading some of the comments from the anonymous Dutch writer, this makes sense now. Being so close to Amsterdam and having friends there I used to spend a lot of time there and it has always been liberal place with equality for all so it seemed odd to read this. I know Friesland is treated like Quebec in a way, there was talk of Quebec separating from Canada many years ago.

2 years 49 weeks

Ah I see, (same Dutch person as above) it's offered by 3 councils in Friesland, a Dutch province which is really not very representative for the rest of The Netherlands (some of the people living there would actually like Friesland to separate) so I think this is more a local experiment than something we'd try nationwide.

2 years 49 weeks

Actually, I am Dutch and this is the first I've heard of this plan. We don't even have a fully functioning government at the moment, its under resignation as we just had elections after our government collapsed and a coalition (between the different parties) still needs to be formed before we will have one again. Wonder when with the elections and all our out-of-power administration had time to think this up... Are you sure of your source, Bella? No offence, we Dutch do very crazy things, so it could just as well be true, but we are a very emancipated country as well, much more so than the US (though I see how selling women in windows may suggest otherwise, on the other hand, selling them without putting them in windows and putting them in danger by not legalising prostitution is nearly as bad). And we are doing/accepting some things that in other countries would be considered unusual, gay marriage, abortion, euthanasia, legalisation of soft drugs, but the whole make-over plan to get a job/husband still seems a bit out there, even for a Dutch person ;)

2 years 49 weeks

I think the premise is entirely offensive but I'd never say no to a makeover ;-)

Chrstne 2 years 49 weeks

While I can understand why the Dutch are doing this, I think it's absurd. You can't fight unemployment and poverty with makeup and marriage. Trying to marry off the unemployed women may help cut costs, but it does nothing to truly better the lives of their citizens. It would be nice if they made the priority getting women to feel better about themselves and put them in good spirits to get back to the job force. This plan is more like giving women a way out so they don't have to try anymore. "Sh*t, I'm unemployed. Time to find me a guy to mooch off of!"

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