Migration as a Challenge to Couple Relationships

The Point of View of Muslim Women

Bibliographic Data

ID13025152
AuthorsMonica Accordini (0000-0002-0167-5726, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore), Cristina Giuliani (0000-0001-6589-1690, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore), María Luisa Gennari (0000-0002-0823-4405, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, corresponding author)
Year2018
Volume8
Issue4
Pages120-120
Publication date2018-11-29
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocieties (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2075-4698 • E-ISSN: 2075-4698
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/soc8040120
OpenAlexW2903306150
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited49

Migration posits new challenges to couple relationships. The distance from one’s family and kin, the need to restructure long-standing and culturally established role expectations, the social isolation, and economic strains often put couple stability at stake. Muslim women’s perception of the changes that have occurred to their couple relationship after migration has rarely been investigated. To fill this gap in the research literature, a sample of 15 Moroccan and as many Pakistani women living in Italy were administered an in depth semi-structured interview. A thematic analysis of the interview transcripts led to the identification of the following main themes: (a) The value and meanings of marriage; (b) couple life in Italy: Partners’ roles; (c) adjustments required by the post-migration context; and (d) resources of the post-migration context. Results show that while migration is often a challenge to couples who are called to renegotiate their values, expectations, and reciprocal duties, it might also be an opportunity to experience a new intimacy far from the control of their family. Moreover, while migration often entails greater autonomy and a more balanced couple relationship for Moroccan women, Pakistanis remain anchored to more traditional gender values and are more exposed to feeling isolated

Autonomy · Context (archaeology · Feeling · Geography · Perception · Political science · Qualitative research · Shadow (psychology · Social science · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Value (mathematics · Diaspora, migration, transnational identity · Gender Studies · Migration and Labor Dynamics · Migration, Refugees, and Integration · Psychology · Social Psychology

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