Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Marriage Migration and Integration pp 57–81Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Marriage Migration and Integration: Unpacking the Arguments and Evidence

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 415 Accesses

Part of the book series: Palgrave Macmillan Studies in Family and Intimate Life ((PSFL))

Abstract

Despite the confident proclamations by political commentators concerning relationships between transnational marriage migration and integration, the evidence base to underpin such assertions is mixed, and complicated by differing foci, contexts and assumptions. In this chapter, we use the five part conceptualisation of integration set out in Chapter 2, to interrogate key arguments, evidence and assumptions in a systematic fashion, whilst drawing out the implications for analysis of marriage migration of broader debates in the social sciences literature, such as on ‘bonding’ and ‘bridging’ capital, on processes across the five domains. The conclusions undermine the homogenising political representation of transnational marriages as problematic for ‘integration’, demonstrating the need for empirical research, such as our study, to explore the complexity of the integration processes at play.

This chapter is based on Charsley, K., Bolognani, M., & Spencer, S. (2016). Marriage migration and integration: Interrogating assumptions in academic and policy debates. Ethnicitie, 17(4): 469–490.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abbasi-Shavazi, M. J., Glazebrook, D., Jamshidiha, G., Mahmoudian, H., & Sadeghi, R. (2008). Second-generat ion Afghans in Iran: Integration, identity and return. Case Study Series. Kabul: Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alba, R., & Foner, N. (2015). Strangers no more: Immigration and the challenges of integration in North America and Western Europe. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolognani, M. (2007). The myth of return: Dismissal, revival or survival? A bradford example of transnationalism as a political instrument. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 33(1), 59–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonjour, S., & Kraler, A. (2015). Family migration as an integration issue? Policy perspectives and academic insights. Journal of Family Issues, 36(11), 1407–1432.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carling, J. R. (2008). The human dynamics of migrant transnationalism. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 31(8), 1452–1477.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carol, S., Ersanilli, E., & Wagner, M. (2014). Spousal choice among the children of Turkish and Moroccan immigrants in six European countries: Transnational spouse or co-ethnic migrant? International Migration Review, 48(2), 387–414.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrera, S. (2006). A comparison of integration programmes in the EU: Trends and weaknesses (CEPS CHALLENGE Papers 1). Brussels: Centre for European Policy Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Çelikaksoy, A., Nielsen, H. S., & Verner, M. (2006). Marriage migration: Just another case of positive assortative matching? Review of Economics of the Household, 4(3), 253–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charsley, K. (2005a). Vulnerable brides and transnational Ghar Damads: Gender, risk and ‘adjustment’ among Pakistani marriage migrants to Britain. Indian Journal of Gender Studies, 12(2–3), 381–406.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charsley, K. (2012). Transnational marriage: New perspectives from Europe and beyond. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charsley, K. (2013). Transnational Pakistani connections: Marrying ‘back home’. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheong, P. H., Edwards, R., Goulbourne, H., & Solomos, J. (2007). Immigration, social cohesion and social capital: A critical review. Critical Social Policy, 27(1), 24–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheung, S. Y., & Phillimore, J. (2014). Refugees, social capital, and labour market integration in the UK. Sociology, 48(3), 518–536.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiswick, B. R. (1999). Are immigrants favourably selected? An economic analysis. In C. Brettell & J. F. Hollifield (Eds.), Migration theory: Talking across disciplines. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiswick, B. R., Lee, Y. L., & Miller, P. W. (2006). Immigrants’ language skills and visa category. International Migration Review, 40(2), 419–450.

    Google Scholar 

  • Commission on Integration and Cohesion (CIC). (2007). Our shared future. Communities and Local Government Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crul, M., Schneider, J., & Lelie, F. (Eds.). (2012). The European second generation compared: Does the integration context matter? Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dale, A., & Ahmed, S. (2011). Marriage and employment patterns among UK-raised Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi women. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 34(6), 902–924.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidoff, I. (2006). Do skilled immigrants perform better than their family reunion counterparts? Harvard University John F Kennedy School of Government Working Paper Series. http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=923009. Accessed 5 July 2019.

  • de Hart, B. (2009). Love thy neighbour: Family reunification and the rights of insiders. European Journal of Migration and Law, 11(3), 235–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diehl, C., Lubbers, M., Mühlau, P., & Platt, L. (2016). Starting out: New migrants’ socio-cultural integration trajectories in four European destinations. Ethnicities, 16(2), 157–179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eggebø, H., & Brekke, J. P. (2018). Family migration and integration: A literature review. Nordland Research Institute. http://www.nordlandsforskning.no/publikasjoner/family-migration-and-integration-a-literature-review-article5504-152.html. Accessed 5 July 2019.

  • Entzinger, H., & Dourleijn, E. (2008). De lat steeds hoger. De leefwereld van jongeren in een multi-etnische stad (pp. 93–94). Assen: Van Gorcum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erdal, M. B. (2011). Transnational ties and belonging: Remittances from Pakistani migrants in Norway (PhD thesis). Department of Sociology and Human Geography, University of Oslo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erdal, M. B., & Oeppen, C. (2013). Migrant balancing acts: Understanding the interactions between integration and transnationalism. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 39(6), 867–884.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finney, N., & Simpson, L. (2009). Sleepwalking to segregation? Challenging myths about race and migration. Bristol: Policy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fog Olwig, K. (2011). ‘Integration’: Migrants and refugees between Scandinavian welfare societies and family relations. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 37(2), 179–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fokkema, T., & De Haas, H. (2015). Pre‐ and post‐migration determinants of socio‐cultural integration of African immigrants in Italy and Spain. International Migration, 53(6), 3–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardham, D. (2009, May 7). More Muslims identify themselves as British than rest of population. The Telegraph.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geurts, N., & Lubbers, M. (2017). Dynamics in intention to stay and changes in language proficiency of recent migrants in the Netherlands. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 43(7), 1045–1060.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodhart, D. (2013). The British dream: Successes and failure of post-war immigration. London: Atlantic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grannovetter, M. S. (1973). The strength of weak ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78(6), 1360–1380.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grillo, R. (2008). The family in dispute: Insiders and Outsiders. In R. Grillo (Ed.), The family in question: Immigrant and ethnic minorities in multicultural Europe. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, S. (1995). Who needs Identity? In S. Hall & P. du Gay (Eds.), Questions of cultural identity (pp. 1–17). London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heath, A. (2014). Introduction: Patterns of generational change: Convergent, reactive or emergent? Ethnic and Racial Studies, 37(1), 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Home Office. (2011). Family migration: Evidence and analysis (Occasional Paper 94: 2nd ed.). London: Home Office. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/306889/occ94.pdf. Accessed 24 July 2019.

  • Hooghiemstra, E. (2001). Migrants, partner selection and integration: Crossing borders Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 32(4), 601–626.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huijnk, W., Verkuyten, M., & Coenders, M. (2012). Family life and acculturation attitudes: A study among four immigrant groups in the Netherlands. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 38(4), 555–575.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hussain, Y., & Bagguley, P. (2005). Citizenship, ethnicity and identity: British Pakistanis after the 2001 ‘riots’. Sociology, 39(3), 407–425.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, D., & Tillie, J. (2004). Introduction: Social capital and political integration of migrants. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 30(3), 419–427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jan-Khan, M. (2003). The right to riot? Community Development Journal, 38(1), 31–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jasso, G., & Rosenzweig, M. R. (1995). Do immigrants screened for skills do better than family reunification immigrants? International Migration Review, 29(1), 85–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jayaweera, H. (2012). Migration, integration and transnational involvement: Muslim family migrants in urban areas in Britain. In K. Charsley (Ed.), Transnational marriage: New perspectives from Europe and beyond. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jayaweera, H., & Choudhury, T. (2008). Immigration, faith, and cohesion: Evidence from local areas with significant Muslim populations. York: Joseph Rowntree.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karlsen, S. I., & Nazroo, J. Y. (2015). Ethnic and religious differences in the attitudes of people towards being ‘British’. Sociological Review, 63(4), 759–781.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khoo, S. E. (2003). Marrying and migrating to Australia: Asian spouses in intra- and inter-cultural marriages (Research Paper Series, No. 8). Asians on the move: Spouses, dependants and households. Asian MetaCentre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kofman, E., & Raghuram, P., (2006). Gender and global labour migrations: Incorporating skilled workers. Antipode, 38(2), 282–303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kofman, E., Saharso, S., & Vacchelli, E. (2015). Gendered perspectives on integration discourses and measures. International Migration, 53(4), 77–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koopmans, R. (2004). Migrant mobilisation and political opportunities: Variation among German cities and a comparison with the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 30(3), 449–470.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kulu-Glasgow, I., & Leerkes, E., (2013). Restricting Turkish marriage migration? National policy, couples’ coping strategies and international obligations. Migration Letters, 10(3), 369–382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lievens, J. (1999). Family-forming migration from Turkey and Morocco to Belgium: The demand for marriage partners from the countries of origin. International Migration Review, 33(3), 717–744.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liversage, A. (2012). Transnational families breaking up: Divorce among Turkish immigrants in Denmark. In K. Charsley (Ed.), Transnational marriage: New perspectives from Europe and beyond. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luik, M.-A., Emilsson, H., & Bevelander, P. (2016). Explaining the male native-immigrant employment gap in Sweden: The role of human capital and migrant categories (IZA Discussion Paper No. 9943). https://ssrn.com/abstract=2786027. Accessed 25 July 2019.

  • Maxwell, R. (2012). Ethnic minority migrants in Britain and France: Integration trade-offs. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Modood, T. (2012). Post immigration ‘difference’ and integration. London: British Academy. https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications/post-immigration-difference-and-integration-case-muslims-western-europe. Accessed 25 July 2019.

  • Modood, T. (2018). Islamophobia: A form of cultural racism. Submission to the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims. https://www.academia.edu/36775691/Islamophobia_A_Form_of_Cultural_Racism. Accessed 25 July 2019.

  • Mohammad, R. (2015). Transnational shift: Marriage, home and belonging for British Pakistani women. Social and Cultural Geography, 16(6), 593–614.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohn, F. A. (2019). Marriage migration and the economic trajectories of first- and second-generation immigrants in Norway. Acta Sociologica (early online view). https://doi.org/10.1177/0001699319841668. Accessed 25 July 2019.

  • Mooney, N. (2006). Aspiration, reunification and gender transformation in Jat Sikh marriages from India to Canada. Global Networks, 6(4), 389–403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morales, L., & Morariu, M. (2011). Is ‘home’ a distraction? The role of migrants’ transnational practices in their political integration into receiving-country politics. In L. Morales & M. Giugni (Eds.), Social capital, political participation and migration in Europe (pp. 140–171). Basingstoke: Palgrave.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nadim, M. (2014). Transnational marriages and second generation women’s employment. Nordic Journal of Migration Research, 4(3), 99–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nandi, A., & Platt, L. (2015). Patterns of minority and majority identification in a multicultural society. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 38(15), 2615–2634.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nannestad, P., Lind Haase Svendsen, G., & Tinggaard Svendsen, G. (2008). Bridge over troubled water? Migration and social capital. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 34(4), 607–631.

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD. (2017). International Migration Outlook 2017. https://dx.doi.org/10.1787/migr_outlook-2017-en. Accessed 25 July 2019.

  • Oliver, C. (2013). The impact of restrictions and entitlements on the integration of family migrants. Oxford: COMPAS. https://www.compas.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/PR-2013-IMPACIM_Comparative.pdf. Accessed 25 July 2019.

  • Osella, F., & Osella, C. (2000). Migration, money and masculinity in Kerala. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 6(1), 117–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peach, C. (2006). Muslims in the 2001 census on England and Wales: Gender and economic disadvantage. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 29(4), 629–655.

    Google Scholar 

  • Portes, A., Escobar, C., & Arana, R. (2008). Bridging the gap: Transnational and ethnic organisations in the political incorporation of immigrants in the United States. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 31(6), 1056–1090.

    Google Scholar 

  • Portes, A., Fernandez-Kelly, P., & Haller, W. (2005). Segmented assimilation on the ground: The new second generation in early adulthood. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 28(6), 1000–1040.

    Google Scholar 

  • Portes, A., Guarnizo, L. E., & Haller, W. J. (2002). Transnational entrepreneurs: An alternative form of immigrant economic adaptation. American Sociological Review, 67(2), 278–298.

    Google Scholar 

  • Putnam, R. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. New York: Simon and Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qureshi, K. (2014, January 9–10). Shehri brides in transnational Sikh marriages: Not just ‘adjusting’. Paper Presented to the Workshop on Marriage, Migration and Intergenerational Relations, SFI, Copenhagen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Röder, A., & Lubbers, M. (2015). Attitudes towards homosexuality amongst recent polish migrants in western Europe: Migrant selectivity and attitude change. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 41(11), 1858–1884.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Planas, N., & Vegas, R. (2011). Moroccans’ assimilation in Spain: Family-based versus labor-based migration. Middle East Development Journal, 3(2), 119–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz, I., & Vargas-Silva, C. (2018). Differences in labour market outcomes between natives, refugees and other migrants in the UK. Journal of Economic Geography, 18(4), 855–885.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rytter, M. (2010). ‘The family of Denmark’ and ‘the Aliens’: Kinship images in Danish integration politics. Ethnos, 75(3), 301–322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rytter, M. (2012a). Semi-legal family life: Pakistani couples in the borderlands of Denmark and Sweden. Global Networks, 12(1), 91–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rytter, M. (2012b). Between preferences: Marriage and mobility among Danish Pakistani youth. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 18(3), 572–590.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rytter, M. (2018). Writing against integration: Danish imaginaries of culture, race and belonging. Ethnos, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/00141844.2018.1458745.

  • Sanders, D., Fisher, S. D., Heath, A., & Sobolewska, M. (2014). The democratic engagement of Britain’s ethnic minorities. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 37(1), 120–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schinkel, W. (2011). The nationalization of desire: Transnational marriage in Dutch culturist integration discourse. Focaal—Journal of Global and Historical Anthropology, 2011(59), 99–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schinkel, W. (2018). Against ‘immigrant integration’: For an end to neocolonial knowledge production. Comparative migration studies, 6(1), 31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, G. (2011). Law and identity: Transnational arranged marriages and the boundaries of Danishness. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 37(2), 257–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, J., & Crul, M. (2010). New insights into assimilation and integration theory: Introduction to the special issue. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 33(7), 1143–1148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snel, E., Engbersen, G., & Leerkes, A. (2006). Transnational involvement and social integration. Global Networks, 6(3), 285–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, S. (2011). The migration debate. Bristol: Policy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, S., & Cooper, B. (2006). Social integration of migrants in Europe: A review of the European literature 2000–2006. COMPAS. https://www.compas.ox.ac.uk/2006/er-2006-integration_europe_literature_review_oecd/. Accessed 25 July 2019.

  • Strik, T., de Hart, B., & Nissen, E. (2013). Family reunification: A barrier or facilitator of integration? A comparative study. HW Oisterwijk: Wolf Legal Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Timmerman, C. (2006). Gender dynamics in the context of Turkish marriage migration: The case of Belgium. Turkish Studies, 7(1), 125–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Timmerman, C., & Wets, J. (2011). Marriage migration and the labour market. Nordic Journal of Migration Research, 1(2), 69–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tossutti, L. S., & Wang, M. (2006). Family and religious networks: Stimulants or barriers to civic participation and the integration of newcomers? Annual Meeting of the Canadian Political Science Association, York University, Toronto.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Veer, P. (1995). Nation and migration. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Viruell-Fuentes, E. A. (2007). Beyond acculturation: Immigration, discrimination, and health research among Mexicans in the United States. Social Science and Medicine, 65(7), 1524–1535.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, R. (2012, August 28–29). Transnational civil dis/obedience’ in the Danish family unification dispute. Paper presented at the 9th Annual IMISCOE Conference, University of Amsterdam, Holland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werbner, P. (2005). The translocation of culture: ‘Community cohesion’ and the force of multiculturalism in history The Sociological Review, 53(4), 745–768.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, A. M., & Baláž, V. (2014). Migration, risk and uncertainty. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, P. (2018). Marriage and social boundaries among British Pakistanis. Diaspora, 20(1), 40–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wray, H. (2011). Regulating marriage migration into the UK: A stranger in the home. Farnham: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

    Katharine Charsley

  2. Bristol, UK

    Marta Bolognani

  3. Department of Political Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Evelyn Ersanilli

  4. Centre on Migration, Policy and Society, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Sarah Spencer

Authors
  1. Katharine Charsley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marta Bolognani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Evelyn Ersanilli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sarah Spencer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Katharine Charsley .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Charsley, K., Bolognani, M., Ersanilli, E., Spencer, S. (2020). Marriage Migration and Integration: Unpacking the Arguments and Evidence. In: Marriage Migration and Integration. Palgrave Macmillan Studies in Family and Intimate Life. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40252-5_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40252-5_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-40251-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-40252-5

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation