Parental Competency Tests and Child Removals Affect Greenlandic Families in Denmark
Greenlandic families residing in mainland Denmark are pursuing the return of their children, who were placed in care by social services. These placements frequently occurred following parental competency tests, known as FKUs in Denmark.
Government Action and Test Details
In May of the current year, the Danish government prohibited the application of FKU tests to Greenlandic families, a decision made after decades of critique. These tests are utilized in complex welfare scenarios where authorities identify potential risks of neglect or harm to children. The assessments typically span several months and include parental and child interviews, cognitive tasks (such as recalling number sequences), general knowledge quizzes, and personality evaluations.
Defenders of FKU tests contend that they offer an objective assessment method, contrasting with the potentially subjective evidence provided by social workers. Conversely, critics argue that these tests are ineffective in predicting parenting aptitude and are culturally biased towards Danish norms. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding their administration in Danish, rather than Kalaallisut, the primary language for most Greenlanders.
Statistical Disparities and Review Progress
Data from the Danish Centre for Social Research indicates that Greenlandic parents in Denmark are 5.6 times more likely to have their children removed into care than Danish parents. The Danish government announced a review of approximately 300 cases, including those involving FKU tests, where Greenlandic children were forcibly removed. As of October, the BBC reported that only 10 FKU-related cases had been reviewed, with no children returned as a result.
Individual Cases
Keira's Situation: Keira, 39, had her daughter Zammi placed into care two hours after birth in November. A 2024 FKU conducted during her pregnancy concluded she lacked "sufficient parental competencies." Keira reported being asked questions such as "Who is Mother Teresa?" and "How long does it take for the sun's rays to reach the Earth?" She also stated she was critiqued for insufficient eye contact during an interaction with a doll. The local authority involved declined to comment on individual cases but stated that child placement decisions are made due to serious concerns for a child's health, development, and well-being. Keira's two older children were also placed in care in 2014 after an FKU assessment. She maintains efforts to reunite with Zammi.
Johanne and Ulrik's Case: Johanne, 43, and Ulrik, 57, had their son adopted in 2020. The Danish government has stated it will not review adopted cases. Johanne's 2019 FKU, conducted during pregnancy, described her as "narcissistic" and having "mental retardation," classifications she disputes. The couple reported that their son was taken by social workers and police officers 17 days after his premature birth. Johanne recounted being told by a psychologist that she was a "barbarian" after describing seeing a woman gutting a seal during a Rorschach test. The local council cited "significant concern regarding the parents' overall parenting abilities" and "concerns about the parents' general lifestyle and functional level in daily life" in their assessment.
Perspectives on Test Validity: Psychologist Isak Nellemann, a former FKU administrator, stated that adverse test results are a significant factor, leading to child removal in approximately 90% of cases. Nellemann argues the tests lack scientific validity for predicting parenting ability. Turi Frederiksen, a senior psychologist whose team currently administers the tests, defends them as valuable and extensive psychological tools and denies they are biased against Greenlanders.
Pilinguaq's Reunion: Pilinguaq, 39, represents a rare instance of a Greenlandic mother reuniting with her child. Her six-year-old daughter was returned several months ago after more than four years in care. Her other two children are scheduled to return in December. This decision was made by the local authority, independently of the government review. Pilinguaq reported difficulties in rebuilding her relationship with her daughter following the separation.
Denmark's Social Affairs Minister, Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, has affirmed that adoption cases will not be reopened, citing the children's integration into