Family relations and the attitude towards ethnic minorities as close kin by marriage

Abstract

Using data from a nationally representative survey (N=6,632), this study examines among native Dutch adults the relationship between current family characteristics and the attitude towards having ethnic minority members as close kin by marriage. The findings indicate that the opposition to intermarriage is quite high but differs towards different ethnic minority groups. Family cohesion – strength of family ties, the adherence to family norms and contact frequency – is related to lower acceptance of inter-ethnic marriage. This supports the idea that when the ties are tightly knit, family members have an incentive to keep ‘cultural strangers’ out of the family. In contrast, family warmth – feelings of affection and emotional support – is related to higher acceptance of inter-ethnic marriage. This is in agreement with the idea that warm and emotionally supportive family relationships can lead to the development of generalized trust, empathy and open-mindedness.

Keywords:

• ethnic minorities
• intermarriage
• family
• attitudes
• ethnic boundaries
• solidarity

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Willem Huijnk

WILLEM HUIJNK is Scientific Researcher at the Netherlands Institute for Social Research.

Maykel Verkuyten

MAYKEL VERKUYTEN is Full Professor in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Utrecht University.

Marcel Coenders

MARCEL COENDERS is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Utrecht University.