The bi-directional impact of a mixed union. People without a migration background in a union with a partner with a migration background

Maurice Crul*, Frans Lelie, Miri Song

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Of the BaM respondents in a relation, no less than a quarter is in a mixed union. We still know very little about the non-migrant partner in unions with a partner with a migration background, including their propensity to adopt the cultural practices of their partner, and their propensity to reach out and embrace ethnic diversity more generally. The growth of intimate relationships between people with and without a migration background in majority minority cities in Europe provides an opportunity to explore the attitudes and experiences of non-migrant individuals in interethnic unions, and what such unions may portend for the wider society. This article makes a critical contribution to the general debate on the assimilation paradigm, which predicts ‘a whitening’ of norms and practices in mixed unions. We will use the BaM data to investigate the potential bi-directional effect of being in a mixed union. Does a mixed union, as assimilation scholars argue, primarily have a whitening impact on the minority partner, or is there also a potential diversifying impact upon the other partner?.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1996-2013
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Ethnic and Migration Studies
Volume49
Issue number8
Early online date31 Mar 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We would like to thank both the people who have commented on earlier versions of this chapter as well as our reviewers. We are grateful to the more than 3000 people who participated in the Becoming a Minority survey and the people who took part in an in-depth interview. With their answers and considerations, they have provided insights into their experiences and the daily practice in the super-diverse neighbourhood. This Special Issue and the Becoming a Minority research project have been made possible by the European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant 741532.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

  • assimilation
  • intermarriage
  • Mixed unions
  • superdiversity
  • whitening hypothesis

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