Original scientific paper
Changes in the Family and the Specific Problems of Women Migrants
Mirjana Oklobdžija
; Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Research carried out in Berlin by the Institute for Migration and Nationalities (Zagreb) confirmed that certain changes have occurred in family relationships of migrants which can be considered as significant. These are above all apparent in altered and less patriarchal coloured relations between spouses, i.e. in an increased level of equality for women. Likewise, migration has caused a reduction of the number of children (the average family has one or two). Not less important, there are signs of change in the relations between parents and children. Therefore, elements indicating emancipation are evident, and are slowly suppressing patriarchal patterns of living, existent in the regions of the country of origin from which the majority of the migrants have come. A connection between migration and the stability of marriage had also been confirmed. A special problem in need of further research concerns the evident diversity between the outlooks of the first and second generations in the host country, and respectively in the country of origin. This is precisely what seems to be of special importance for understanding both the life and the possible problems of families, since the perception of these two environments determines the desire to return or stay – i.e. plans for the future which will possibly lead to bilocated families.
Keywords
women migrants; family relations; Berlin
Hrčak ID:
127746
URI
Publication date:
31.12.1990.
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