Intermarriage Implications

New Zealand

New Zealand provides a microcosm in which to consider ethnicity, indigeneity, migration and intermarriage, and their interacting effects on society, culture, identity and health outcomes. In the 2001 Census, of those who responded to the ethnicity question, at a level 1 classification 7.9% gave more than one response. In relation to the indigenous people of New Zealand, of all those who recorded Maori as one or more of their ethnic groups, only 56% recorded Maori only. In the younger age groups, less than half the Maori ethnic group were Maori only. Single ethnic categories disguise considerable within-group diversity in outcomes. Based on the New Zealand experience, as international migration continues, and as intermarriage becomes more frequent in most countries, there will be pressure to move from single group race-based measures towards culturally-based complex ethnicity measures.[1]

U.S. Hispanics

Intermarriage patterns between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites over the 1990 to 2000 period in 155 U.S. metropolitan areas was examined, using data from the 1990 and 2000 Census Public Use Microdata Samples. Intermarriage between U.S. Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites declined during the 1990s, a result fueled in part by burgeoning immigration of Hispanics, especially Mexicans. The 1990s also ushered in a period of increasing Hispanic segregation from non-Hispanic whites, growing language barriers, and accelerated educational inequality, which also dampened Hispanic-white intermarriage rates. Conclusions: Our results imply that the Hispanic population is at a transition point, if intermarriage rates are an indication.[2]

United States

Over the past four decades, immigration has increased the racial and ethnic diversity in the United States. Once a mainly biracial society with a large white majority and relatively small black minority--and an impenetrable color line dividing these groups--the United States is now a society composed of multiple racial and ethnic groups. Along with increased immigration are rises in the rates of racial/ethnic intermarriage, which in turn have led to a sizeable and growing multiracial population. Currently, 1 in 40 persons identifies himself or herself as multiracial, and this figure could soar to 1 in 5 by the year 2050. Increased racial and ethnic diversity brought about by the new immigration, rising intermarriage, and patterns of multiracial identification may be moving the nation far beyond the traditional and relatively persistent black/white color line.[3]

England

One way of measuring religious affiliation is to look at rites of initiation such as baptism. English statistics show that for the first time since the Church of England was founded, less than half the nation is Anglican on this criterion. The pattern of formal religious transmission changed during the Second World War. Previously christening was quasi-universal, and the Church of England was the preferred provider. By the end of the war baptism was evidently optional, and chosen principally by parents whose religious identities matched. A demographic theory of advanced secularization is outlined that specifies a proximal cause for declining religious affiliation, and provides tools for predicting the changes to be expected over future decades. The theory also helps to explain why affiliation may fall most quickly where there is most religious diversity.[4]

Arab Americans

Examined Arab American intermarriage using 1990 US Census data. Results indicate high rates of intermarriage consistent with an assimilation perspective. Over 80% of US-born Arabs had non-Arab spouses, implying a diminishing ethnic identification. Logistic regressions show that for both sexes, those with part Arab ancestry, the US born, those with strong English-language ability, and the highly educated were significantly more likely to out-marry, as were Arabs of Lebanese ancestry. It is concluded that the cultural and structural assimilation of Arab Americans is facilitating intermarriage, with indicators of acculturation being the strongest predictors, especially for women.[5]

Hawaii

Intermarriage is one of the most salient demographic features of Hawaii. Between 1983 and 1994, 46% of all marriages contracted in Hawaii were racially exogamous. Over 80% of these intermarriages were formed among 4 major ethnic groups in the islands: Caucasians, Japanese, Filipinos and Hawaiians. In a broad sense, people choose their mate on the basis of equal socioeconomic status, either within or across boundaries of race and ethnicity. Gender differences are very small, indicating that status is equally important for both men and women in choosing a marital partner. However, these patterns suggest that groups of very high and very low status have a very restricted marriage market. Continued intermarriage also raises questions about how to measure race and ethnicity in the islands.[6]