Most families in Denmark consist of a father, mother and children. Many young people live on their own for a number of years until they get married or move in together and have children. Some adults live alone with their children. Many adults and elderly people live alone.
Marriage
A couple are allowed to get married when both parties have reached 18. People under 18 must obtain special permission from their municipal authority. A person must not already be married, and it is against the law to marry siblings or close relatives such as children, parents or grandparents. It is up to the individual to decide whom he or she marries. Marriage is voluntary and it is against the law to force anyone into marriage. If you marry a person who lives in another country and want him or her to live in Denmark, you and your spouse must apply for a residence permit or family reunification.
Registry or church
A couple can be married at a registry or in a church. A civil marriage ceremony is performed by a registrar or another public offi cial in your municipal authority. A church marriage ceremony is performed by a priest from the Danish National Church or an alternative religious community where the priest has the power to marry couples. If you were married in another country, your marriage will probably be recognised in Denmark as well. Ask at the Danish national register in your municipal authority. Duty to provide for one another When you marry, it is your duty to fi nancially provide for one another. And as a general rule, all belongings are joint property. When a married couple have children, the parents automatically have joint custody.
Registered partnerships
Homosexuals can also enter into a registered partnership which is legally binding in the same way as marriage. Homosexuals have the same rights and duties as all other citizens. There are, however, certain exceptions. For example, homosexual couple do not have the right to adopt children.
Cohabitation
When two people decide to live together without being married it is called cohabitation. A couple who cohabit do not have the same duties and responsibilities towards one another as married couples. This is particularly important if the couple have children and decide to split up.
Custody
If a couple have children and are not married, the mother automatically gets custody of the children. But the parents can have joint custody if they agree to this.
Disagreements can end up in court
If a cohabiting couple decides to split up, it is up to them to sort out their possessions. Just as they should agree where the children are to live. If they can not agree, the matter must be settled in a court of law. If they can not agree about where the children should live, they can seek help from the state administration.
Separation and divorce
A spouse who no longer wishes to live in a married relationship has the right to divorce. Separation is a kind of trial period, where the couple live apart but are still married. A married couple can get divorced if they have been separated for one year. If they agree, they can be divorced after six months. If divorce is due to infidelity or physical violence, it is possible to be divorced immediately without a trial separation. Sharing responsibility for the children. The parents themselves decide how to share responsibility for the children. If they can not agree, they can seek help from the state administration. If no agreement is reached, the matter can be settled by a court of law. A couple wishing to separate and divorce must apply to the state administration in the region where they live. Here they can get advice about the conditions for separation, divorce, custody, division of property and maintenance payments.
Child support payments
The parent not living with the child must make child support payments to the other. Child support payments are tax deductible.
Contraception and abortion
You can always talk to your doctor about how to avoid becoming pregnant. There are many different kinds of contraception to choose from. In Denmark, a woman has the right to an induced abortion in hospital before the end of the twelfth week of pregnancy. In special circumstances it is also possible to have an abortion after this date. The right to an abortion is primarily founded on the woman’s right to decide over her own body. If you want an abortion, you must contact your doctor, who will refer you to the hospital. Normally, an induced abortion is a surgical procedure under general anaesthesia. It is also possible to have a medical abortion. In other words, an abortion induced by taking pills. We refer to www.sexlinien.dk for further details.
No one should be subjected to physical violence
What happens within the four walls of the home comes under the heading of private life, and accordingly, neither the state nor the municipal authorities interfere. Having said this, no one, neither adult nor child, must be exposed to physical violence or abuse within the home. It is against the law to subject others to physical violence. This includes children and spouse. If you are beaten, threatened or forced into having sex, you can seek help either from your municipal authority, a crisis centre or an advisory centre. Violence and duress should be reported to the police.
Seek help before it is too late
If you need help and advice, you can contact your municipal authority or an advisory centre where you have the right to remain anonymous.
Crisis aid and crisis centres
If things go wrong and you need help here and now, you can move into a crisis centre. Here you will be given shelter until it can be determined what is to happen next. Crisis centres also off er social, physical and educational support. There are crises centres dotted around the country; both for men and women. It is possible to bring children with you to crisis centres. Most crisis centres are for women seeking protetction from violent husbands or someone else who abuses them. We refer to www.lokk.dk and www.social.dk for further details.
Contact between parents and personnel
Positive contact between parents and day care personnel is crucial to the healthy development of the child. Personnel will inform you about what happens at the day care centre on a daily basis. They want to hear about your experiences with the child and changes in the family that affect the child. If you need more time to speak to personnel, you can arrange for a parent-teacher meeting. Many day care centres employ bi-lingual personnel who participate in the meetings. Otherwise you can be given an interpreter.
Parent-teacher meetings and boards
It is important that you take an active interest in your child’s daily life, also when your child is in the care of others. You can find out more about what is happening at your child’s day care centre and make suggestions at parent-teacher meetings held twice a year. At one of the parent-teacher meetings, parents elect representatives to the parent board. Representatives have a say in the centre’s fi nances, activities and the education that impacts on the daily lives of the children.
Credits: The Danish Immigration Service
