Migration, Marital Instability and Divorce among British Asians: Transnationalism, Changing Conjugalities and Legal Pluralism

South Asian populations in Britain have long been described as representing the 'old-fashioned' family with, in particular, low rates of divorce in contrast to the wider population. This conservatism in family practices has been credited to loyalty to tradition, and strong family values have been central to the self-identity of British Asian communities. However, there are signs of a trend towards increasing marital instability and divorce among British Asians. This trend has also become a topic of concern within these communities, witnessed by increasing numbers of marriage counselling and family mediation by religious organisations, for instance.

There have recently been strong calls for empirical studies in this area. Data from the 2001 census suggests that rates of single parenthood and divorce among British Asian populations are on the rise. However, the statistics do not offer insights into the underlying dynamics.

To provide the detailed and contextualised information required to address these issues, I propose ethnographic research with two British Asian groups: Pakistani Muslims and Punjabi Sikhs, relevant because they share some features and differ in others. A significant proportion of both marry partners from overseas. They differ in migration histories and overall socio-economic position in Britain. On the whole, Punjabi Sikhs are better off than Pakistani Muslims, with more women in paid employment and greater inter-generational social mobility. They also differ in marriage patterns. Whilst many Pakistani Muslim families have preferred marriage within the kin group, Punjabi Sikhs have traditionally married outside the extended family. However, these generalisations overlook distinctions by caste, which give rise to economic and socio-cultural contexts with different implications for marital breakdown. Social change and intergenerational negotiations in marriage practices are also overlooked, whilst there are likely to have been rapid changes in marital ambitions, conjugal expectations and willingness to remain in an unsatisfactory union.

This project will explore the extent to which such differences inflect patterns and processes of marital instability, or whether factors such as class, gendered power and life stage are more significant. The impact of transnational marriage will be a central focus of comparison. Some commentators view the practice as reinforcing conservatism. Others see it as a potential cause of marital discord because of incompatibility or differing expectations of marriage among spouses raised continents apart. This project will therefore explore whether marriages involving migration are characterised by different experiences of conflict and divorce to those contracted in Britain. The gender of the migrant spouse may also be significant in the nature of problems encountered, and in the likelihood of divorce.

Finally, the two religions also treat divorce differently. Islamic marriage and divorce can occur independently of civil procedures, creating complexity in marital status and the possibility of multiple partnerships being formally recognised through polygamy. Sikhism does not formally recognise divorce, although civil divorce and extended separation occur in practice in Britain. Moreover, there are additional complexities in how these distinctions are treated by British family law and by other arms of the British state including welfare, guidance and mediation services, and refuges.

I will analyse these dynamics on the basis of repeated interviews with Pakistani Muslim and Punjabi Sikh couples who are going through, or have experienced divorce within the last three years. Multiple interviews over time are intended to gain a sense of how the partners' 'rhetoric of motives' evolve, and allow for a gradual building of trust, and possibilities for long-term ethnographic observation.

ESRC:
ESRC Strategic Plans foreground the societal importance of population diversity and dynamics, particularly concerning migration policy, generational shifts, changing family and household relations in the context of increased female employment, understanding the role of religion in society, complex and deeply embedded differences in practices alongside the intersections of ethnicity, religion, class, locality and gender, questions of social justice alongside potential fractures to collective and civic identities. Speaking clearly to these areas, this project will contribute to the ESRC's wider programme of high quality research capable of shifting public discourse and government policy at various levels.

Public debate:
Public discourses around British Asian families abound with concerns about forced marriage, honour killings and domestic violence, heightening public attention to the subordination of British Asian women. South Asian marriage migration has similarly raised concerns about 'bogus' marriage and the vulnerabilities of linguistically-isolated immigrant wives. More nuanced information on the diversity and dynamism of British Asian family practices is urgently needed to address popular misconceptions and stereotypes. Recent calls for regulation of religious marriage and polygamy suggest this may be a further area in which the study may influence public debate.

Policy makers:
This project will provide timely empirical evidence against which is should be possible to assess the appropriateness of recent changes in legislation on marriage migration aimed at protecting British citizens and reducing immigration fraud. Questions to which the research may speak include: Does divorce shortly after grant of British passports suggest immigration fraud, or unforeseen marital challenges? Does later age at marriage improve the quality of marital relationships? In what situations does polygamy arise and what are its consequences? What relationships exist between forced marriage and divorce?

Service providers:
Social Workers, Marriage Guidance & Mediation, Divorce Lawyers, Women's Refuge
Each of these professions may become involved in marital conflict or divorce. Documenting dynamics of marital instability among British Asians will help ensure appropriate service provision, reducing reliance on stereotypical assumptions of unchanging gender roles or family practices.

Community groups and religious organisations:
Such bodies are often consulted in preference to those above by British Asian couples experiencing marital problems, and play a role in intra-community debate around marriage and divorce. As such, it is equally important that they are well informed about contemporary dynamics and available external services. Such bodies may also provide other support to reduce stresses on marriages.

British Asian couples and families:
Benefits to couples and families will stem from improvements in services and policies generated by a more informed understanding of processes of marital instability and divorce among British Asians. More appropriate support may help resolve conflict, reducing suffering and family breakdown. Better-informed support services may minimise the negative consequences of divorce on couples and their children. Policy initiatives informed by nuanced research may avoid causing unanticipated harm to families and individuals. Individuals from the communities concerned may also benefit from directly from reading research outputs (in line with feedback from previous research).

Most impacts of this project will be medium to long term. Dissemination will be of crucial importance in maximising impact. In addition to academic dissemination, findings will be made available on Sussex University website, through concise briefing papers to be distributed to wider target audiences, and through press release. A half day workshop will be held for invited representatives of concerned organizations.