Rocking a baby... in a cardboard box? Imagine bringing your newborn home and giving them their first nap in a cardboard crib (Lee). Strange, right? Not to the Finnish people. Since 1938, the Finnish government has provided every pregnant woman with a sturdy cardboard box filled with all the essentials needed for her newborn's life, including a mattress ("Finnish Baby Box: Unique"). Originally created to support low-income mothers, the box has become a hallmark of the country's public policy: every child has an equal start, regardless of social situation (Picard). Although motherhood itself is a rite of passage, Finnish mothers are proud to receive their maternity packages and see it as a way to connect to the strong but struggling mothers of the country's past (Lee). Due to some restrictions on the grant, receiving the box not only benefits Finnish families, but also the country's healthcare. The country's overall statistics were also positively altered by the box; Finland appears to be one of the happiest and 'smartest' countries in the world due to these figures ("Finnish mothers are"). The maternity program has been so successful that the concept is envied and even sought after by other countries around the world. It is fascinating how something as simple as a box can serve as a cradle, a closet, a springboard, a model and an overall statistic for the small country of Finland. In 1938, Finland, like the United States and other countries, suffered from the collapse of the stock market. Many people found themselves in poverty and did not have money to properly raise and provide for their families. Although the flow of money stopped, the flow of children being born did not stop. Due to lack of income, many families have been unable to purchase cribs.