Bending the rules in the Netherlands

Gay Pride Canal Parade in Amsterdam in 2007 (© M van der Meer)

The image that many people have of Holland is one of an extremely tolerant and, in fact, overly permissive society when it comes to sex, drugs, prostitution, religion or euthanasia. The Netherlands is actually a very regulated, well organised and law-abiding country. So just how do all those rules and regulations match up with what appears to be total freedom in so many areas?

Producer: Michele Ernsting

Broadcast: January 15, 1998