Interethnic marriage

History

Effects

One study conducted on Africa, showed that the regions with higher levels of inter-ethnic marriages have lower levels of ethnic conflict.

Europe

Ireland

To prevent the English in Ireland from integrating into Irish society, the Parliament passed the Statutes of Kilkenny in 1366. The statutes decreed that intermarriage between English settlers and Irish natives was forbidden. These acts were limited in area to the Pale and enforcement is debated.

Asia

China

During the Manchu-led Qing dynasty (1644–1912), Manchu and Han bannerwomen were punished if they married Han civilians.

South Korea

In recent years, the number of inter-ethnic marriages in Korea has increased substantially. However, most of non-Korean spouses of Koreans are other Asians.

The non-Korean spouses are often from Vietnam, Japan, China, Laos, Philippines, Bangladesh, Russia and even Peru. Before 1990, most inter-ethnic marriages were between Korean women and foreign men, mainly from the United States or Japan. Marriages between Korean men and foreign women grew due to urbanization of Korea. In 2017, the ratio of Korean Men and Foreign Women to Korean Women to Foreign Men marriages were 14.9 to 6 (Korean Office of Statistics, 2018). Men in rural cities were deemed undesirable for marriage by Korean women and would then have to seek out a foreign wife. Korean women tend to move to urban cities to increase the chances of finding a Korean husband (Lim, 2010). New rules for international marriage were introduced 2014 to reduce the divorce rates, it became mandatory that the foreigner learns basic Korean and the family must make a minimum salary of $1,500 per month.

The Multicultural Family Support Act was passed in 2007. Over the years, Multicultural Family Centers have opened around Korea to assist the foreigners in adapting to their new lifestyle. These centers work to help soften the cultural shock and promote happier marriages despite the difficulties that the spouse might face. A 2013 study concluded: “Most inter-ethnic and interracial marriages take the form of a speedy arranged marriage via matchmaking agencies and religious organizations” (Chung & Yoo, 2013).

References

References

1. The Cambridge Ancient History, edited by John Boederman, Cambridge University Press, 1997, pg 832
2. Mycenaean Origin of Greek Mythology, Martin Nilsson, 1983 Univ of California Press, p. 48.
3. Amelia Dowler, Curator, British Museum; A History of the World; https://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/7cEz771FSeOLptGIElaquA
4. "What interethnic marriage rates tell us about ethnic conflict and cooperation in Africa {{!}} Africa at LSE".
5. Crowley, Tony. (2000). "The politics of language in Ireland 1366–1922: a sourcebook". Routledge.
6. "Statistics Korea".
7. Lim, Timothy. (2010-03-01). "Rethinking Belongingness in Korea: Transnational Migration, "Migrant Marriages" and the Politics of Multiculturalism". Pacific Affairs.
8. Chung, Grace H.. (2013-01-22). "Using the Multicultural Family Support Centers and Adjustment Among Interethnic and Interracial Families in South Korea". Family Relations.