Risk and ritual: The protection of British Pakistani women in transnational marriage

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Abstract

With increasing numbers of Pakistani nationals entering Britain as the spouses of British Pakistanis, concern has been voiced over the risks faced by British Pakistani women entering into such marriages. This article takes the issue of risk as a central explanatory factor in examining the effects of transnationalism on Pakistani marriage ceremonies. The involvement of marriages in multiple legal systems, together with the individual circumstances of geographically divided kingroups, may lead to additions or adaptations to wedding practices. The focus on risk, however, illuminates a novel strategy employed by some British Pakistani families to reduce the risks to young women marrying Pakistani nationals: The delaying of the couple's cohabitation until after the husband's successful migration. The challenge for state intervention in the regulation of risks to its citizens through immigration policy is to keep pace with these changing phenomena.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1169-1187
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Ethnic and Migration Studies
Volume32
Issue number7
Early online date20 Aug 2006
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2006

Research Groups and Themes

  • Migration Mobilities Bristol
  • Migration
  • Transnational
  • Marriage
  • Risk
  • SPAIS Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship

Keywords

  • Marriage
  • Migration
  • Pakistani
  • Risk
  • United Kingdom

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