Partner Choice among the Second Generation: The Influence of Peers, Parents and Context

Doreen Huschek, Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI)
Helga A.G. de Valk, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

This study examines partner choice among the Turkish second generation by using data from a European wide survey (TIES). First, we aim to increase our insights into the intermarriage rates of the Turkish second generation. Second, our work goes beyond previous research by studying the influence of both parents and peers as well the effect that the host country context may exert on partner choice. Third, we not only study intermarriage with a native born partner, but include unions with a second generation partner from the same origin. Multinominal regression analyses show that marriage regimes and peer effects differentiate second-generation youths with a second generation partner from those with a first generation partner. For the choice between a native partner and a first-generation partner both parents and peers seem relevant. Further, both unions with second generation and native partners were less likely in countries with predominantly multicultural policies.