Union formation and dissolution among immigrants and their descendants in the United Kingdom

Tina Hannemann and Hill Kulu
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Tina Hannemann: University of Manchester
Hill Kulu: University of St Andrews

Demographic Research, 2015, vol. 33, issue 10, 273-312

Abstract: Background: There is a growing literature on the dynamics of immigrant fertility and mixed marriages, but partnership transitions among immigrants and ethnic minorities are little studied. Objective: This study investigates union formation and dissolution among immigrants and their descendants in the UK. Methods: We use data from the Understanding Society study and apply the techniques of event history analysis. We contrast partnership trajectories of various immigrant groups and compare these with those of the 'native' British population. Results: The analysis shows significant differences in partnership formation and dissolution among immigrants and ethnic minorities. Women of Caribbean origin have the highest cohabitation and the lowest marriage rates, whereas cohabitation remains rare among immigrants from South Asia and their descendants, as most of them marry directly. Immigrants from the Caribbean region and their descendants also show higher divorce rates than 'native' British women, whereas women of South Asian origin have a low divorce risk.

Keywords: immigrants; ethnic minorities; second generation; marriage; cohabitation; divorce; separation; United Kingdom (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J1 Z0 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (18)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:dem:demres:v:33:y:2015:i:10

DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2015.33.10

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