Newborn removed from his mother in Denmark 1 hour from childbirth, controversy over the “parental competence” test: here is what it is

In Denmark, in Hvidovre, the young mother inuit ivana nikoline brønlund18 years old, saw his own infant just subtracted an hour after childbirthfollowing a psychometric test aimed at examining his “parental competence “.

As an article published by the newspaper recalls The Guardianthe evaluation took into consideration past trauma that the girl of Greenish origin would have introduced following childhood abuses suffered by the adoptive father. The Danish case aroused a sensation and protests, and not only because the legislation, introduced in May 2025, It expressly prohibits the use of these tests on people of Greenland originbut more generally for the real necessity and goodness of such an intervention.

This type of test deals with evaluate cognitive skills and relational attitudes of the parent in cases considered criticsbut reliability, utlility and application remain controversial. In our country there are no formally comparable testseven if some family evaluation procedures may include psychological and observational elements. The international debate focuses on border between the protection of the minor and the rights of parentsraising ethical and legislative questions about their use. We have it spoken in depth with an expert.

What is the “parental competence” test

As the Pedagogist Monia Monti«It is a psychometric examination used in Cases considered complexes such as adoptions, custody or separationsto evaluate the ability of parents to take care of their child ». The main objective is to observe as the parent meets the physical needs of the child (from feeding to hygiene), as it is able to promote it cognitive and emotional developmentguaranteeing its safety. The expert underlines how «In the specific case of the young mother Inuitthe experts expressed a priori a judgment of inadequacywithout predicting further moments of evaluation after birth ». The ideal process, recalls Monti, «requires a multidisciplinary approach and the use of more phases declined tools. Elements that, in the case of the new mother who gave birth to Denmark, seem to be have been neglected».

Parental competence test: cultural limits and risks of discrimination

«A test on parenting skills always and inevitably reflects the values ​​and rules of a certain culture», Continues Monti. «Applying it to people from different cultural contexts can therefore produce distorted results. Parenting, care and educational roles vary enormously between cultures: Ignoring these differences risks penalizing ethnic minorities families “. The pedagogist adds that “also the language and mastery of language influence the expression of needs and emotions: sTRUMENTS not adapted to the context They can be incomplete or unjust. In essence, the reliability of the tests depends heavily on their ability to respect and fully understand the cultural context of the parent assessed “.

Italian experience and possible future prospects in our country

In Italy, the pedagogist Monti clarifies that “they are used multidimensional and multidisciplinary assessmentswhich combine standardized tests with interviews, home observations and analysis of the parent-child dynamics ». When and how? “These tools are employed In foster care, adoption, separations or evaluation of the forfeiture of parental responsibilityalways with the involvement of multiple actors, from psychologists to social workers, passing through pediatric doctors ». On risks and possible distortions, Monti warns: “If not adequate, these tests can lead to unjust decisionseven to the improper removal of the children from their caregiver. The solution lies in Integrated observation paths, clinical interviews and parenting supportto promote the ability of mother and father e prevent unjustified removalprotecting the child in his family environment ».