Statelessness in Denmark
Translated title
Statsløshed i Danmark
Author
Berg, Alex
Term
4. term
Publication year
2021
Submitted on
2021-05-26
Pages
62
Abstract
This thesis examines whether Denmark’s strict naturalization rules stigmatize stateless people. Drawing on qualitative interviews with stateless residents in Denmark and with practitioners and experts (including social adviser Janne Grønborg Franck and researcher Eva Ersbøll), the study analyzes experiences of social inclusion, interactions with authorities, and perceptions of identity. The empirical material is interpreted through Goffman’s and Link & Phelan’s concepts of stigmatization and Jenkins’s social identity theory, and set against an overview of Danish citizenship law and the broader European context of statelessness. Contrary to the initial hypothesis, the analysis finds that stringent citizenship laws in themselves do not stigmatize stateless people. However, their practical consequences—such as prolonged reliance on temporary residence permits—can create economic burdens similar to those affecting other non-citizens. Feelings of stigma among interviewees are primarily linked to the condition of lacking any citizenship rather than to specific Danish legal provisions. While acquiring Danish citizenship would likely make stateless people feel more “normal” and improve self-perception, it does not necessarily deepen their sense of belonging to Denmark or diminish ties to their origins. The study thus nuances debates on law, identity, and lived experience in the Danish context.
Dette speciale undersøger, om Danmarks stramme regler for naturalisation skaber stigmatisering af statsløse personer. Med udgangspunkt i kvalitative interviews med statsløse i Danmark samt praktikere og eksperter (herunder socialrådgiver Janne Grønborg Franck og forsker Eva Ersbøll) analyseres oplevelser af social inklusion, møder med myndigheder og identitetsopfattelser. Det empiriske materiale fortolkes gennem Goffmans og Link & Phelans stigmatiseringsbegreber samt Jenkins’ sociale identitetsteori og sættes i relation til en oversigt over danske statsborgerskabsregler og Europas bredere statsløshedskontekst. I modsætning til den oprindelige hypotese finder analysen, at de stramme statsborgerskabslove i sig selv ikke stigmatiserer statsløse. Deres praktiske konsekvenser—som langvarig afhængighed af midlertidige opholdstilladelser—kan dog skabe økonomiske byrder, der ligner dem, andre ikke-statsborgere oplever. Følelser af stigma blandt interviewpersonerne knytter sig først og fremmest til fraværet af ethvert statsborgerskab snarere end til specifikke danske regler. At opnå dansk statsborgerskab vil sandsynligvis få statsløse til at føle sig mere “normale” og forbedre deres selvopfattelse, men det styrker ikke nødvendigvis tilknytningen til Danmark eller svækker båndene til oprindelsen. Studiet nuancerer dermed debatten om lovgivning, identitet og levet erfaring i dansk sammenhæng.
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