Contexts of partnership formation in Germany: Male refugees from Syria and Afghanistan and children of immigrants compared
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20377/jfr-1440Keywords:
endogamy-exogamy, partner-meeting contexts, first- and second-generation migrantsAbstract
Objective: This study examines partner-meeting channels and their association with patterns of endogamous and exogamous unions among male refugees from Syria and Afghanistan, as well as first- and second-generation men in Germany.
Background: The substantial inflow of young, predominantly male refugees from Syria and Afghanistan to Germany has created markedly imbalanced partner markets, posing significant challenges for partnership formation. The question arises through which channels these male refugees are likely to find partners and how these compare to those of first- and second-generation migrants residing in Germany.
Method: Using data from PARFORM and CILS4EU-DE (total N = 3,813) and weighted multinomial logistic regressions, we analyse individuals’ propensity to form endogamous unions, partnerships with the German majority, and partnerships with other non-co-nationals. We focus on partner-meeting contexts, distinguishing between family, friends, main activities (work or study), neighbourhoods, leisure activities, and online dating spaces.
Results: Refugees rely primarily on family, followed by friends, the internet, and daily activities, whereas MENA+ and other minority groups draw on a wider range of channels, including leisure settings alongside friendship networks. Among Syrians, meeting through family contacts is associated with stronger endogamy, while among first- and second-generation individuals of MENA+ origin, neighbourhood contacts support endogamy. By contrast, among Afghan refugees and first- and second-generation individuals from other origins, partnership endogamy and exogamy show little variation by meeting context.
Conclusion: Family and neighbourhood contacts reinforce endogamy among Syrian refugees and first- and second-generation migrants of MENA+ origin, respectively, whereas leisure contexts – with some nuances – are associated with greater exogamy.
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HORIZON EUROPE European Research Council
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