Citation

Scott S, Cartledge KH. Int. Migr. Rev. 2009; 43(1): 60-89.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Center for Migration Studies, New York, Inc., Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1747-7379.2008.01147.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The paper advances our empirical and theoretical understanding of migrant assimilation. It does so by focusing on a very particular group of individuals who appear more likely than other migrant types to “go native.” We call these individuals “mixed nationality relationship migrants” (i.e., migrants who have committed to a life outside their home country because of the presence of a foreign partner). The paper argues that the transnational family milieus that emerge from this form of international migration are critical to the assimilation process. Empirical material from 11 in-depth interviews with female migrants in Britain (Sheffield) and France (Paris) supports our argument. We also suggest that such “extreme” assimilation is more likely within a regional migratory system – like the EU – where the “identity frontiers” crossed in the formation of a transnational family are relatively shallow.