 |
|
 |
|
Neighbourhoods and the creation, stability and success of mixed-ethnic unions
Project LinksOther Projects in This Theme:
External Links: ResearchersAbstract:Numerous geographical studies over the last few decades have explored ethnic segregation. Most have used cross-sectional data to determine how geographically segregated different ethnic minority groups are, while a few have also explored how these patterns have changed over time for different groups. At the heart of these studies is the notion of ethnic mixing in different places, with the implicit assumption that less segregated places include a mix of households from different ethnic groups. None of these studies explore ethnic mixing within households and the contextual factors that might influence this. Although developed societies are becoming increasingly ethnically diverse, relatively little research has been conducted on mixed-ethnic unions. Those studies which have been undertaken demonstrate that mixed-ethnic unions are growing in number; in England and Wales, the number of mixed-ethnic unions increased by 65% between 1991 and 2001. While this may be evidence of an increasingly multi-cultural society we know virtually nothing about the factors that influence where these unions form, how stable they are through time, whether this stability is influenced by the ethnic context in which these people live, and whether such couples seek out mixed-ethnic neighbourhoods. There is some recent evidence from the US that mixed-ethnic couples are indeed more likely to choose to live 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 live in mixed-ethnic neighbourhoods because they formed there or because they moved there. Our longitudinal analysis will allow us to tease out the relative importance of these two processes. Previous cross-sectional studies in the US have also suggested that mixed-ethnic couples are more likely to live in high-status neighbourhoods than single-ethnic couples, and the assumption has been made that mixed-ethnic couples are therefore more likely to be integrated into the host society. Once again, though, it is unclear from cross-sectional analyses whether living in less deprived neighbourhoods encourages ethnically mixed unions, or whether such couples are more likely to move into less deprived areas following the establishment of their partnership. Our longitudinal study will allow us to separate these two processes. This research project will therefore contribute to our understanding of mixed-ethnic unions in Britain by exploring the role of neighbourhood context on the creation, stability and success of mixed-ethnic unions. The research will contribute to the literatures on residential segregation, union formation and geographical mobility. The study will make use of two large longitudinal datasets which captured and linked people in the 1991 and 2001 censuses. In both censuses, information on ethnic identity was included and by adding specially derived variables relating to the ethnic diversity of neighbourhoods people live in and move between it will be possible to explore the influence of neighbourhood context on the creation, stability and success of mixed-ethnic unions. The results will be of direct policy relevance to those interested in promoting ethnic integration and multiculturalism. Department:School of Geography and Geosciences and Longitudinal Studies Centre - Scotland, University of St Andrews Duration:October 2007- October 2009 Grant Type:Small Research Grant Publications
PresentationsFeng, Z. (2009) Presentation at UPTAP Conference, university of Leeds, March. Feng, Z. (2008) Presentation at International Conference on census microdata: findings and future, Manchester, September. Feng, Z. (2009) Presentation at International Conference on Population Geographies, Dartmouth, August. Feng, Z. (2008) Presentation at European Population Conference, Barcelona, July.
|
|