Together or apart? Spousal migration and reunification practices of recent refugees to Germany

Abstract

This study examines migration and reunification processes among recent male and female refugees from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria in Germany. Specifically, we analyse different types of spousal migration practices (joint arrival versus arriving alone) and the probability of reunification with the left-behind partner after one year of geographic separation, and to what extent this is shaped by socio-economic conditions, children, family networks, and the legal situation of married men and women. Using data from the first and second wave of the IAB-BAMF-SOEP Survey of Refugees, collected in 2016 and 2017 in Germany, and applying logistic regression models, we disentangle the heterogeneity of refugees’ migration processes. The results show that couples with minor children are more likely to migrate together compared to childless couples or those with adult children only, and that men and women’s solo migration is associated with the presence of other family members at the destination country. The probability of reunifying with the left-behind partner after one year of separation mainly depends, again, on family networks, with differential effects for men and women. Furthermore, male first-movers’ legal status in Germany is important for a quick reunification with their wives. Our research shows that forced migration in the here studied geographic context is a gendered process and that several characteristics of male migration do not apply to women. Furthermore, conventional explanations for economically motivated migration decisions and patterns must be adapted to the case of forced migration.

Ukrainian Refugees in Germany: Evidence From a Large Representative Survey

“…Relatively restrictive housing, learning, work and mobility conditions during the asylum procedure and individual experiences of rejection and discrimination in the destination countries also reduce refugees' chances for participation and integration (Di Saint Pierre et al 2015;Hainmueller et al 2016;Kosyakova/Brenzel 2020). Family structure, including those left behind, and opportunities for family reunifi cation are important factors shaping integration processes and educational opportunities of children, adolescents, and adults (Kraus et al 2019;Löbel/Jacobsen 2021). This also stresses the importance of institutional daycare for children below school age and school access for school aged children (e.g., Bujard et al 2020;Gambaro et al 2020Gambaro et al , 2021.…”

Gendered flight constellations and family-reunion intentions of female refugees from Ukraine: Evidence from a representative survey in Germany

“…While previous refugees to Western Europe, e.g. from Syria from 2013 to 2016, tended to be mainly young men with their families or single men (Buber-Ennser et al, 2016;Kraus et al, 2019;Schon, 2019;Brücker, 2022), the demographic composition of the Ukrainians is different. The group of Ukrainian refugees mainly consists of women, their children and a larger amount of older people (Tyldum & Kjeøy, 2022;Brücker et al, 2023;Duszczyk et al, 2023).…”

“…From previous literature we know that longer involuntary separations from the partner do not only have negative effects on mental health and well-being of the separated partners and other family members (Porter & Haslam, 2005;Beiser & Hou, 2017;Gambaro et al, 2018), spatial separation also limits the chances of "getting by" in the destination country, e.g. social integration or participation in the labour market (Rousseau et al, 2004;Kraus et al, 2019;Spörlein & Kristen, 2019;Spörlein et al, 2020;Jacobsen et al, 2020;Kosyakova et al, 2022). The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that about half of the refugee women from Ukraine have minor children in Germany indicating that many of the refugee women are -at least temporary -lone mothers (Brücker et al, 2023).…”

“…Löbel & Jacobsen, 2021). Family-migration patterns, or reunification patterns are gendered (Kraus et al, 2019) and depend on the legal conditions for migration, which in itself are not gender-neutral and thus may reproduce gender-role patterns (Bonjour & Kraler, 2016).…”

“…Which factors are related to Ukrainian refugee women's desire to reunite with their partner and/or children in Germany? Previous literature on migrant family reunion intentions and refugee mobility behavior suggests that a number of factors may be at play (Kraus et al, 2019). First, these are socio-demographic factors such as age, family structure, and education (Baizán et al, 2014;Birgier et al, 2018;Guichard, 2020;Spörlein et al, 2020;Aksoy & Poutvaara, 2021).…”