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Zhiqiang Feng and Gillian Raab, University of St Andrews and Maarten van Ham, Delft Univ of Technology
(Project no. 0301789, previously 30178)
The overall aim of this study is to examine the influence of geographical context on social and economic integration of mixed-ethnic unions.
Parallel to the diversity of population in Britain, there is a growth in mixed ethnic unions over past decades. Mixed ethnic unions refer to unions between partners from different ethnic groups. Various theories can be applied to mixed-ethnic unions. One argument suggests that mixed-ethnic partnering is more likely between partners of similar socio-economic status, as is known to be the case among single-ethnic groups. Status exchange theories go further to assert that a lower status majority group member is more likely to partner a minority group member if the latter has a higher socio-economic status (White and Sassler, 2000). From an 'assimilationist' prospective, it is usually assumed that the most 'assimilated' members of minority groups will be more likely to partner members from majority groups. The number of mixed ethnic unions is indicative of integration of minority ethnic groups in the host society. Previous studies have shown that social structures and geographical contexts have considerable impacts on the formation, stability and migration of mixed ethnic unions. Furthermore, children of mixed ethnic unions are born with dual identities from their parents. They are more likely to be influenced by different cultures and norms. Research on social and economic integration of mixed ethnic unions and their children is important in theoretical building and policy implications.
Our previous study (no. 30092) using the ONS LS has demonstrated that ethnic mix at the neighbourhood and local marriage market influences the propensity of formation, migration and dissolution of mixed ethnic unions. In this research we will use the new 2011 Census data to further our understanding of mixed ethnic unions in the 21st century.
We will define mixed-ethnic unions as those with partners from different ethnic groups who are either married or cohabiting and of opposite sex. The objectives of this project are:
1. to measure the growth of mixed ethnic unions and their changing geographical distribution between 1991, 2001 and 2011;
2. to explore whether ethnic mix at neighbourhood (ward) and local marriage market area (district) is associated with formation, migration and dissolution of mixed ethnic unions;
3. to explore whether partners from minority backgrounds are different from their counterpart in co-ethnic unions in labour market outcome, social economic positions, national identity, language usage and proficiency, and citizenship, and whether ethnic mix at neighbourhoods has any influence; and
4. to explore whether children of mixed ethnic unions show different identity, language skills and labour market outcome in comparison with children from co-ethnic unions, and whether ethnic mix at neighbourhoods has any influence.l