Away from Greenland

Greenlandic children in Denmark with two Greenlandic parents more often live in socially disadvantaged families, and more often have mental or social difficulties than other Greenlandic children in Denmark.
Against this backdrop this report investigates, among other things, the background for the families’ move to Denmark, social and mental conditions, the well-being of the children, and integration in Denmark.
Among other things, the report concludes that the trauma caused by violence against Greenlandic women who have previously experienced intimate partner abuse, as well as general differences between Greenlandic and Danish traditions for a sense of community, play an important role in the life of the Greenlandic family after moving to Denmark, and that such conditions may obstruct integration and lead to isolation and loneliness in both children and adults.
The survey follows up on the report on Greenlandic children in Denmark (2010). It is based on interviews with mothers, and in some cases, fathers in 20 Greenlandic families with children who moved to Denmark from 2000-2009. The report has been financed by the Egmont Foundation and the Danish National Centre for Social Research (SFI).