I thinks he refers to the fact that the above post by yummyfajitas says that Americans have a higher standard of living than Swedes. While they may earn more,

I thinks he refers to the fact that the above post by yummyfajitas says that Americans have a higher standard of living than Swedes. While they may earn more, they also benefit from much much higher social security (for instance family allowances). Also I don't think the gap between Americans and Swedes is such that just by saving a couple of years you can match the paid leave. You must also consider various expanses that Americans have but not Swedes : a personal pension plan (or at least, a more consequent one), tuition fees for the older child, or saving for that of the child just born. Finally the claim that people don't stop working to take care of their children is a proof it isn't enjoyable is laudable because it doesn't factor in psychological and sociological parameters. tl;dr Swedes don't have a lower standard of living than Americans. Maybe the reverse is even true.