European bi-national marriages in Portugal and EU social integration

Abstract

Some scholars have hypothesized that social integration in the European Union (EU) is a trigger for bi-national European marriages. Although this idea has been the motivation behind some research, empirical evidence shows that the effect of accession to the EU has had a limited effect on partner choice. This study aims to add to the knowledge on this issue by analysing the trends and patterns of marriages between Portuguese and non-Portuguese citizens between 1997 and 2011. We conducted bivariate and multivariate analyses using official data on marriages that took place in Portugal, with the results showing that bi-national European marriages remained stable throughout the period, although some nuances are evident depending on the type of marriage. While Portuguese-EU15 marriages declined over time, those between native Portuguese and other Europeans increased. Gender differences determined the development and composition of these marriages. This article also notes the existence of three distinct types of bi-national union: labour, recomposed and highly educated couples. The final part of the article seeks to explain and interpret the findings, specifically by focusing on the increase in cohabitation as a functional substitute for bi-national European marriage, the need to compare and combine the number of marriages in both spouses’ countries, and changes in the structure of the Portuguese matrimonial market due to the arrival of new social groups (e.g. Brazilian and Eastern European).

Marriage Patterns Among Portuguese-Brazilian Couples

“…However, once again, among binational couples there is greater heterogeneity. This same trend was found by Ramos et al (2015) and Gaspar et al (2017), about binational marriages between persons of the opposite sex. However, it is interesting to note that if we compare heterosexual with homosexual couples, within the same time frame (2010-2020), it is among the former that we find the lowest levels of educational homogamy.…”

“…In Portugal, various studies (many of them supported by these theories) have focused on binational marriage 1 between a Portuguese citizen and an immigrant, endeavouring to investigate their evolution and identify patterns and tendencies of these marriages (e.g., Evangelista, 2014;Ferreira & Ramos, 2008Gaspar, 2008;Gaspar et al, 2017Gaspar et al, , 2018Ramos et al, 2015;Raposo & Togni, 2009). Some of these studies provide a more detailed insight into Luso-Brazilian couples (Evangelista, 2014;Ferreira & Ramos, 2008Ramos et al, 2015;Raposo & Togni; enabling not only the identification of their key features but also revealing that among heterosexual couples the characteristics of these marriages are slightly different from marriages where both partners are Portuguese.…”

“…However, in comparison with national couples, among binational marriages the diversity of situations is higher. Although there are some differences between groups of origin; the most qualified groups of origin are more exogamous (Ferreira & Ramos, 2008Gaspar et al, 2017Gaspar et al, , 2018Ramos et al, 2015). Regarding age, in national couples the tendency is for marriages within the same group of age, although men are slightly older than women.…”

Immediate dental implantation after indirect sinus elevation using osseodensification concept: a case report

“…Despite this case’s limitation, the Densah burs can be an effective technique in sinus floor elevations compared to the lateral approach without delaying the implantation stage 16 .…”

Untitled

“…В литературе существует множество определений, которыми обозначаются браки между представителями разных этносов и культур: смешанный брак (mixed marriage) (Rahnu et al, 2020); межкультурный брак (intercultural marriage) (Ростовская, Ростовская, 2016;Mcfadden, Moore, 2001); национальносмешанный, этнически-смешанный брак (Гриценко, 1991; Тащёва и др., 2016); межнациональный брак (Бокова, 2007), international, transnational marriage (Chang, 2016;Gaspar et al, 2017), interethnic, bi-ethnic marriage (Gorenburg, 2006;McDoom, 2019) и др.…”