More than half of those who answered a nationwide poll say that immigrants and their offspring should adjust to Danish society and customs instead of preserving those of their native countries.
The Jyllands-Posten/Rambøll poll surveyed 944 random adults, with 58 percent stating that immigrants ought to conform to the Danish lifestyle.
The results, however, do not indicate whether any minorities were part of the respondent group, and 33 percent of those polled said that immigrants and their children should not be forced to give up their traditions and customs.
Political researcher Hans Jørgen Nielsen said he believes the results show that people in this country prefer a homogeneous society.
‘We’re convinced of the idea that people should be integrated and contribute to the social welfare system,’ said Nielsen. ‘If you don’t contribute – and, moreover, keep to yourself – then there’s a problem.’
Yet Mehdi Mozaffari, professor of Islamic Studies at Aarhus University, said that Denmark is already more or less a multicultural society.
‘But it’s a bit of an abstract discussion when it comes to what the whole idea of multiculturalism means,’ said Mozaffari. ‘Is it about splitting up boys and girls at the swimming hall because of religious considerations or requiring Halal meat in school cafeterias?’
He said Danes were primarily concerned with preserving their basic values regarding free speech, equality and social welfare.
‘Beyond that I’d have to say that Denmark is in many ways a more tolerant country than the self-proclaimed, multicultural Sweden,’ said Mozaffari. ‘There’s a lot more control over how people should behave there than there is here.’
Immigration Ministry figures show that 401,771 immigrants and 124,265 of their descendants live legally in Denmark.