Examining the social characteristics underpinning Danish ‘hygge’ and their implications for promoting togetherness in multicultural education

ABSTRACT

In a time when the world is facing social, political, public health, and environmental upheaval, Danes are lighting candles, baking cookies, and engaging in ‘hygge’, or ‘cozy togetherness’. Interestingly, Denmark also happens to be ranked as one of the happiest, most harmonious and prosperous societies across several global indexes. Could there be a link between the Danes’ propensity for hygge and their independent yet socially caring citizens? Can the hygge movement serve as a lens and motivation for researching and facilitating togetherness in multicultural education? This review examines the intricate, positive relationship between personal and collective wellbeing notable in Denmark. The popular Danish lifestyle concept of ‘hygge’ is situated within the wider, global, interdisciplinary wellbeing research and evidence-base to identify underpinning, generalizable principles for promoting togetherness in multicultural education, and education more broadly.

KEYWORDS:

• Hygge
• togetherness
• multicultural
• education
• giving
• wellbeing

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Thomas W. Nielsen

Dr. Thomas Nielsen is an Associate Professor in Education at the University of Canberra, Australia. Originally born and raised in Denmark, Dr. Nielsen has been an educator for over 20 years across the early childhood, secondary, and University sectors. He has served in several of the Australian Government’s values and wellbeing education projects, and has won National awards for his research-led teaching.

Jennifer S. Ma

Dr. Jennifer Ma is a Research Fellow in Psychology and Education at the University of Canberra, Australia. She has a background in psychology and mental health research, as well as gender, sexuality and popular culture studies. Dr. Ma’s areas of expertise include suicide prevention and exploring the role of social processes (e.g., connectedness and belonging) on mental health and wellbeing outcomes.