Neighbourhood ethnic mix and the formation of mixed‐ethnic unions in britain: a longitudinal analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Although developed societies are becoming increasingly ethnically diverse, relatively little research has been conducted on geographies of mixed-ethnic unions (married or cohabiting). There is some recent evidence from the US that mixed-ethnic couples are more likely to be found in mixed-ethnic neighbourhoods, but this research is based on cross-sectional data. Therefore it is not possible to determine whether mixed-ethnic couples are more likely to form in mixed-ethnic neighbourhoods or whether they are more likely to move there. Our longitudinal analysis allows us to tease out the relative importance of these two processes, furthering our understanding of the formation of mixed-ethnic unions. Using data from the ONS Longitudinal Study (LS) we examine neighbourhood effects on the formation of mixed-ethnic unions in England and Wales. We find that mixed ethnic unions are more likely to form in neighbourhoods with low concentrations of co-ethnic population. The results from this study lend support to the contact theory that geographical proximity to other ethnic groups enhances mutual understanding between people from different ethnic groups and could lead to the development of intimate partnerships.

Ethnic context and fertility differential in post‐Soviet Kazakhstan

“…Particular context‐level factors such as the composition of ethnicities (including their homogeneity, heterogeneity, segregation, and relative share) have an overarching impact on how individuals think and behave. Population geography in recent years also pays increasing attention to how racial/ethnic composition at various spatial levels (neighbourhood, census area, county, etc) has an overarching effects on individual demographical outcomes, including marriage, health, and fertility (Feng et al, 2013; Kim et al, 2020; Puur et al, 2022).…”

“…Population geography in recent years also pays increasing attention to how racial/ethnic composition at various spatial levels (neighbourhood, census area, county, etc) has an overarching effects on individual demographical outcomes, including marriage, health, and fertility (Feng et al, 2013;Kim et al, 2020;Puur et al, 2022).…”

“…Racial/ethnic composition attracts an increasing attention in population geography due to the growing migrant population forming distinct settlement and neighbourhood patterns in multicultural societies (Zwiers et al, 2018). Studies have found that diversity and the share of minorities improve the self‐reported physical and mental health among minorities across the world (Lu & Yang, 2020; Yang & Yang, 2018); the density and share of co‐ethnic members at various spatial levels are related to the likelihood of marriage (Feng et al, 2013; Puur et al, 2022). Among the few who have brought the perspective of ethnic composition into fertility research (Kim et al, 2020; Kim & Song, 2015) found that the ethnic composition of the neighbours affects fertility behaviours among immigrant women.…”

Interethnic Bias in Willingness to Engage in Casual Sex Versus Committed Relationships

“…Recent decades have witnessed an increase in interethnic sexual and romantic relationships in Europe and elsewhere in the world (Coleman, 2004;Feng, Boyle, van Ham, & Raab, 2013), which is often interpreted as a sign of reduced interethnic prejudice (Alba & Nee, 2009;Childs, 2008;Ford, 2008;Muttarak & Heath, 2010;Song, 2009). However, as well as considering the frequency of interethnic relationships as indicator of prejudice, it may be meaningful to consider the type of sexual or romantic relationships across races.…”

Gender Differences in the Effect of Residential Segregation on Workplace Segregation Among Newly Arrived Immigrants

“…First, it brings forward the ongoing discussions on segregation as a multidimensional process (Marcinczak et al 2015;Tammaru et al 2015) by providing a better understanding of the association between residential and workplace segregation among newly arrived immigrants. We take into account the ethnic composition of the household in studying the role of residential segregation in workplace segregation since for recently arrived immigrants, mixed ethnic unions with natives might lead to different neighborhood and workplace outcomes than co-ethnic unions (Ellis et al 2012;Feng et al 2013;Strömgren et al 2014). Second, we use longitudinal data, while most existing studies on segregation use cross-sectional data.…”