Mariage mixte, contexte des valeurs et rupture d’union: Suède 1990–2005

Abstract

This article analyzes the connection between exogamy and union dissolution using individual level register data for native Swedes and immigrants in Sweden. We study both married and cohabiting unions, from the birth of the first child until dissolution (N = 403,294). Event history models are employed to study the association between type of union and value dissimilarity between spouses on the one hand, and union dissolution, on the other, controlling for human capital and demographic characteristics. The results are in line with the exogamy hypothesis; that mixed unions face higher dissolution risks than endogamous unions. We also find support for the value dissimilarity hypothesis; that the disruptive effect of exogamy increases with the degree of value context dissimilarity between partners. Finally, the results corroborate the gender difference hypothesis; that the effects on union dissolution of exogamy and value context dissimilarity depend on the gender of the immigrant in exogamous unions.