Transnational marriages between Eastern European-born wives and U.S.-born husbands

Abstract

In the era of globalization and increased mobility of individuals who pursue various goals in their immigration, immigration due to marriage becomes a new norm. As the number of transnational marriages increases, including those from Eastern Europe, it is important for social scientists to focus on these types of marriage circumstances, and for family practitioners to better understand how marriage migrants adjust within their marriage and community. The two research questions of the dissertation include the following: What are the characteristics of spouses in transnational EE-U.S. couples that can distinguish them from spouses in intranational U.S.-U.S. couples? (Research Question 1); Are EE wives in transnational interethnic couples exposed to more areas of potential vulnerabilities compared to EE wives who are in intraethnic EE-EE immigrant couples? (Research Question 2). To answer these questions a 1% representative sample from 2008-2010 American Community Survey was used. Results from Project 1 suggested that preference for a traditional wife, limited opportunities of a local marriage market, and husband's exposure to diversity could be the factors that motivate U.S.-born husbands' to seek spouses transnationally. The findings from Project 2 suggested that certain areas of vulnerability described in previous qualitative studies could be a reality of Eastern European marriage migrants. Limitations and implications for future research were discussed.