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Do Mixed Unions Foster Integration? The Educational Outcomes of Mixed-Parentage Children in Italy

Author

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  • Davide Azzolini

    (FBK-IRVAPP)

  • Raffaele Guetto

    (University of Milano-Bicocca)

  • Joan Eliel Madia

    (Nuffield College-University of Oxford)

Abstract

We investigate the nexus between intermarriage and immigrant integration by analyzing mixed-parentage children’s educational outcomes. We use Italian Labor Force Survey data to compare the upper secondary school participation of children of different types of mixed unions with that of children of two native and two migrant couples. Our results show that mixed-parentage children perform halfway between natives and immigrants, but their educational careers are highly heterogeneous. Among families with non-Western origins, mixed-parentage children improve substantially with respect to their peers with two migrant parents. But if the mother was born abroad, the children still exhibit higher dropout risks and lower general school enrolment as compared to children of natives and all other mixed-parentage children. A pivotal role in accounting for this educational disadvantage is played by the higher incidence in this specific type of union of nonstandard family dynamics and household fragilities that may give rise to less parental monitoring and lower educational performance. This finding is consistent with a prediction based on the status exchange theory, according to which such unions are more likely affected by instability and conflict.

Suggested Citation

  • Davide Azzolini & Raffaele Guetto & Joan Eliel Madia, 2017. "Do Mixed Unions Foster Integration? The Educational Outcomes of Mixed-Parentage Children in Italy," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 1033-1060, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joimai:v:18:y:2017:i:4:d:10.1007_s12134-017-0521-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s12134-017-0521-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mariani, Rama Dasi & Pasquini, Alessandra & Rosati, Furio C., 2020. "Elementary Facts about Immigration in Italy: What Do We Know about Immigration and Its Impact?," IZA Discussion Papers 13181, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Raffaele Guetto & Francesca Zanasi & Maria Carella, 2022. "Non-intact Families and Children’s Educational Outcomes: Comparing Native and Migrant Pupils," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 38(5), pages 1065-1094, December.

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