“It’s so cold and impossible to make friends” Challenges of multicultural relationships in Finland

Abstract

This study focused on long-lasting multicultural relationships from Finnish spouses' perspectives. What are those special features that challenges multicultural relationships in Finland? The narrative method was used as the methodological approach. The research data were obtained through the use of narrative interviews with 11 Finnish people (8 women, 3 men). Every participant had been married to a foreign spouse for over 7 years (15 years on average). The results found describe everyday challenges as expressed by the Finnish spouses. Life in Finland, married to an immigrant, brought special challenges to the relationship, such as lack of knowledge of the Finnish language, religion, cultural traditions and roles, employment difficulties, and economic worries. Various life situations and threats from the environment were, however, handled so that the relationships lasted. In conclusion, models for the survival of multicultural marriages were introduced in this research. These include the stable relationship model, empowering relationship model, and relationship tinged with insecurity model.