Better integrated due to a German partner?: an analysis of differences in the integration of foreigners in intra- and inter-ethnic partnerships in Germany

Abstract

Este estudio analiza las diferencias en la integración de extranjeros viviendo en intra e interétnicas parejas en Alemania. La teoría de la distancia social asume que los migrantes que forman parte de una pareja mixta estarán mejor integrados o, al menos, debería darse las mejores condiciones para una integración exitosa. Esta hipótesis es analizada a través de los primeros datos del Panel Alemán de Integración. El análisis realizado condujo al resultado central de que los participantes en el curso de integración se integraban mejor cuando contaban con una pareja alemana, especialmente en cuanto a la integración cultural se refiere.

This paper analyses differences in the integration of foreigners living in intra- and inter-ethnic partnerships in Germany. According to social distance theory, it is assumed that migrants living in an inter-ethnic partnership should be better integrated or should have better conditions for a successful integration than foreigners living in an intra-ethnic partnership. This hypothesis is analysed by using data from the first wave of the German Integration Panel, a longitudinal survey of integration course participants. The analyses conducted led to the central result that participants of an integration course are more integrated when they have a German partner without migration background. This is especially true for their cultural integration, i.e. knowledge and usage of the German language, but also for their social and emotional integration.