INTERMARRIAGE IN EU · Trends and Patterns of Interethnic Parnerships and Well-being of Mixed Ethnic Children in the EU

This projects aims to conduct a cross-national analysis of interethnic partnerships in the European Union. The study focuses on partnerships between natives and immigrants because interethnic union has long been regarded as an indicator of integration. Focusing on the 27 member states of the EU, this research will explore two main themes: 1) trends and patterns of interethnic partnerships; and 2) socioeconomic well-being of offspring of interethnic unions. The study will focus on explaining similarities and dissimilarities in interethnic partnership patterns of different immigrant groups across 27 member states based on an empirical analysis of the EU Labour Force Survey. Furthermore, arguing that interethnic partnerships can enhance bridging social capital and facilitate the integration of children growing up in an interethnic household, this research will investigate the well-being of offspring of interethnic unions measured by their development, educational achievement and health. The study will also attempt to explain the mechanisms through which a native parent promotes the children’s well-being through the lens of social capital. Focusing on children’s outcomes and using nationally-representative longitudinal surveys of selected five member states, this research is of methodological significance in tackling the endogeneity and sample selection problems which usually arise when studying offspring of interethnic unions. This project will add to the knowledge in integration and well-being of children from various immigrant groups in different societies in the EU.