AAU Student Projects - visit Aalborg University's student projects portal
An executive master's programme thesis from Aalborg University
Book cover


A Flight for Safety: Analyzing Push Factors behind Afghan Minors' Migration and Their Integration in Denmark

Authors

;

Term

4. semester

Publication year

2025

Submitted on

Pages

58

Abstract

Afghanistans mangeårige konflikter og ustabilitet har tvunget mange til at forlade landet, og en del har søgt beskyttelse i Europa, herunder i Danmark. Denne afhandling undersøger, hvorfor afghanere rejser som mindreårige, og hvordan de efterfølgende integreres i Danmark. Med udgangspunkt i dybdegående interviews med fem afghanske personer, som ankom som mindreårige og nu bor i Danmark, anvender studiet interpretativ fænomenologisk analyse og tematisk analyse til at afdække deres levede erfaringer. Analysen er informeret af Richard Jenkins’ identitetsbegreb, Everett Lees push‑pull‑teori og sikkerhedsperspektiver til at forstå afrejsen, samt Ager og Strangs integrationsramme, John Berrys akkulturationsteori og transnationalisme til at belyse bosættelsen. På tværs af fortællingerne fremhæves push‑faktorer som vold, forfølgelse og menneskerettighedskrænkelser knyttet til Talibans kontrol, stramme religiøse og kulturelle normer, dødstrusler og målrettede drab. I Danmark beskriver deltagerne en løbende integrationsproces, der omfatter adgang til sundhedstilbud, muligheder for socialt samvær og fremtidsmuligheder samt identitetsforhandling, mens de bevarer bånd til familie og hjemland via teknologi. Ved at sætte de mindreåriges perspektiver i centrum giver studiet kontekstfølsomme indsigter til politik og praksis om beskyttelsesbehov og integrationsstøtte for afghanske flygtninge i Danmark.

Afghanistan’s prolonged conflict and instability have forced many to leave, with a share seeking protection in Europe, including Denmark. This thesis investigates why Afghans depart as minors and how they subsequently integrate in Denmark. Drawing on in‑depth interviews with five Afghan individuals who arrived as minors and now live in Denmark, the study uses interpretative phenomenological analysis and thematic analysis to explore their lived experiences. The analysis is guided by Richard Jenkins’ social identity concept, Everett Lee’s push–pull migration theory and security perspectives to understand departure, and by Ager and Strang’s integration framework, John Berry’s acculturation theory and transnationalism to examine settlement. Across the narratives, push factors identified include violence, persecution and human rights abuses linked to Taliban control, strict religious and cultural norms, death threats and targeted killings. In Denmark, participants describe an ongoing process of integration that involves access to healthcare, opportunities for social interaction and future prospects, and the negotiation of identity while maintaining ties to family and homeland through technology. By centering minors’ perspectives, the study offers context‑sensitive insights for policy and practice on protection needs and integration support for Afghan refugees in Denmark.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]