Marriage and Migration

Abstract

Despite immigration policies that are often built around family reunification, contemporary research on migration often prioritizes labor mobility over mobility associated with marriage and family formation. Drawing on scholarship across a range of disciplines and across the globe, this article focuses attention on the substantive dimensions and theoretical debates located at the intersections of research on marriage and migration. Among the topics covered are rural bride shortages and mail-order marriages, arranged marriages, marriages of convenience and the state policies introduced to regulate them, and crimes of honor. The article also addresses the impact of migration on spousal relationships and on parenting in a transnational context. Of particular consideration are dimensions of insecurity that arise in mixed-status families, which may result in domestic violence.

Examining Identity Intersectionality: Thai Marriage Migrants in the Netherlands

“…A related and noteworthy finding is that the female identity was described in terms of being a married wife. Marriage migration and female identity seemed to be closely intertwined, to the extent that all respondents interpreted 'being a woman' in terms of 'being a wife' and described their migration experiences largely in light of the important role of their husband for integrating in Dutch society (Brettel, 2017). Migration for the sake of marriage seems to give a particular definition to what it means to be a woman, in which the role of being the wife of a Dutch husband is central.…”

“…For example, marriage migration raises questions about the importance of different migration motives for the acculturation process of migrants and their developing sense of self. People can marry out of love, to improve their economic situation, or to legally stabilize their temporary status in society, and there is arranged marriage migration in which family assets, family honor, and religious and cultural practices and observances are important (Brettel, 2017;Timmerman, 2006). In general, social psychological research has paid little attention to the reasons that people have for migrating, although these reasons might in various and profound ways shape how migrants develop an understanding of themselves, their family, and the broader society in which they settle.…”

“…Marriage migration is closely connected to globalisation processes and occurs in many parts of the world. But in contrast to migration studies and anthropology (see Brettel, 2017) there is hardly any psychological research on marriage migrants; therefore, we do not know much about how marriage can affect the lives of migrant women and their sense of self. tool for social justice projects (Collins, 2015).…”

Gender in Waiting

“…This reification is often reactive, as women and men look for a sense of stability in unfamiliar or uncertain environments. Hence, migrants entering a context with more liberal gender norms may find the experience alienating, and retreat further into the domestic sphere (Brettell 2017;Yeoh et al 2002). Migrant men may feel the need to re-assert their masculinity when faced with new and uncertain contexts, including through destructive behavior (Jaji 2009).…”

“…For example, as migrant women enjoy greater empowerment through workforce participation, men may seek to enforce patriarchal norms within the home (Parrado and Flippen 2005). Indeed, the risk of domestic violence against women can also increase in the context of migration (Brettell 2017).…”