Binational Relationships Research Articles

Water Management in the Rio Conchos Basin: Impacts on Water Deliveries Under the 1944 Treaty

The unusual drought that struck the Rio Bravo/Grande basin between Mexico and Texas in 1993 marked a new order in the relationship and commitments to water deliveries from both countries in the context of the 1944 Water Treaty. As a result, Mexico did not comply with the volume of deliveries required in the 1992-1997 cycle. Since then, Mexican deliveries have shared a climate of tension with the U.S., blamed partly on Mexico's unpredictability of its obligations. This tendency is gaining academic interest from the perspective of the Treaty and the binational relationship. However, the evidence on Mexico's inability to meet its binational commitments is still scarce. Hence, this article explores the Conchos River, Mexico's most important tributary to comply with its obligations, the water management and actors involved; the competition and possible conflict scenarios and their solutions; and the impacts on water deliveries from Mexico to the United States. The work uses the Multi-level Governance and Sub-national Hydropolitics concepts and the partial results of an investigation on the internal factors in the basin that affect water deliveries to the U.S.

Antecedents of Multicultural Identity: The Role of Stereotypes and Need for Cognitive Closure

A noticeable rise in global mobility has led to an increase in people identifying with more than one culture. This has been described as 'effects of globalisation' on the microlevel by some authors (Arnette, 2003; Fitzsimmons et al., 2017). The reasons for this are manifold and include: increase in migration for both economic and political reasons, increase in binational relationships and marriages, easier access to education abroad with international recognition of degrees, increased travel for both leisure and work, and not least, the increase in digitalisation. These developments facilitate private and professional interactions and relations with people across the globe. Building on previous work on multiculturalism, this paper aims to make a theoretical contribution to understand how daily behaviour is impacted by antecedents of multiculturality, ranging from monocultural to multicultural individuals. Specifically, we hypothesise multiculturality as relevant for behavioural outcomes, only to the extent of antecedent a) situational cues of in- vs outgroup cultural identity, b) degrees of stereotype activation and moderated by c) the individual need for cognitive closure. We postulate a theoretical model that explains the impact of various degrees of individual multiculturality on behaviours. With this, the paper contributes to understanding the psychological antecedents and underlying processes of people within an increasingly multicultural environment.

“Falling in love with me means that she can never go back”: a case study exploring the cumulative costs of multiple migrations

This case study centers on the narrative accounts of a lesbian couple in a binational relationship (i.e., two women from different countries) who left the United States (U.S.) at a time when immigration laws did not recognize their union. Given that they could not legally stay in the U.S. together, they immigrated to the Netherlands and subsequently to Canada. When DOMA was overturned and the couple was eligible to apply for immigration to the U.S., they opted to remain in Canada, in part due to the strain of multiple migrations. This concept has been described as the complex process that accompanies more than one immigration experience and the cumulative effect that this can have on couples and families over time, particularly when multiple resettlements have taken place. A descriptive case study methodology was employed to investigate the perceptions of multiple migrations of this lesbian binational couple, focusing mainly on their experiences in Canada. Specifically, individual interviews were conducted with each woman to explore their lived experiences of multiple migration and the impact this has had on various aspects of their lives, including those occurring at the intersection of privilege and oppression. A description of each woman is presented, followed by the significant themes that emerged from this study, including immigration difficulties and the centrality of relationship. Implications for psychological training, practice, research, policy were presented.

Functioning of Polish Women in Binational Relationships—An Outline of the Issue against the Background of Migration in the Interpreted Paradigm

The aim of this study was to describe the functioning of Polish women living in Britain and the USA who have entered into formal or informal relationships with foreigners. The analysis of the literature has shown that research which helps to understand the specifics of how binational relationships work is still scarce, so researchers are encouraged to conduct more studies in this area. The analyses presented here are based on individual semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted among 21 women (N = 21). The research has shown, among other things, that the migration of Polish women is strongly correlated with living conditions and the economic situation in the country. The stories of the women interviewed about leaving Poland clearly show the changes in migration patterns developing in the 21st century.

Marriage migration from below: The assessing of ‘genuineness’ among binational couples in Australia

AbstractThis article focuses on the Australian partner visa application process, as experienced by African‐Australian couples in intimate heterosexual relationships. In Australia, similar to other Anglo‐European countries, the visa application process is an increasingly complex procedure. In order to avoid sham marriages that are entered into for the sole purpose of obtaining residency, it heavily scrutinises couples’ relationships and motives for marriage migration. This article explores marriage migration ‘from below’, by looking at how the Australian Government utilises the idea of ‘genuineness’ in order to establish the sincere character of binational relationships, and in turn, how this bureaucratic focus affects couples and their intimate relationships. I argue that the visa application process is distrusting of binational couples, which produces various outcomes: it obstructs intimacy and romance as experienced by couples; rather than fostering equality as desired by the Government, it generates a dependency among couples whereby female sponsoring spouses are ascribed more power than their foreign partners; and the non‐transparent and lengthy procedure, as a form of structural violence against binational couples, affects couples’ ontological security.

Cross-Border Interactions and European Identity

Abstract This article examines what types of cross-border interactions promote a stronger sense of European identity than national identity. Firstly, using data from the Eurobarometer survey a typology of cross-border practices is constructed and associated with different levels of European identity. Secondly, a qualitative study evaluates the life course of 36 individuals involved in a European binational relationship. Both interactions within and outside Europe are assessed. The findings show that three types of interactions might promote a strong identification as European: Intra-European integrative interactions, involving a certain level of integration into the host society (in economic, educational and social systems) and associated with long-term stays; Multicultural interactions, involving a setting of shared activities and cooperation between individuals of several European nationalities; and Outside Europe interactions, that put Europe at perspective between the “we” and the “others”. On the other hand, the effect of Non-Integrative (sojourns) and short-term stays might be negligible.

Evolving together: transboundary water governance in the Colorado River Basin.

Transboundary collaboration between the United States (US) and Mexico in the Colorado River Basin has heightened in recent years, as climate change, population growth, and overallocation threaten the long-term stability of the region. Through a combination of document analysis and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, we examine patterns of change in the governance of the Colorado River, as the US and Mexico navigate socioeconomic, cultural, and political asymmetries to jointly share water over the past two decades. We ask: What key events and environmental agreements have influenced transboundary water governance in the Colorado River over the past 20 years? We draw on the rich scholarship on transboundary water governance, especially around international river basin organizations, to uncover patterns of engagement and collaboration over time. We focus on the binational scale with an eye to study governance at multiple scales including interactions and impacts at the national and subnational scales. Our findings illustrate how Mexico’s role has evolved from a narrow one following a strict interpretation of the 1944 Treaty toward a more creative partnership between the US and Mexico demonstrated in binational negotiations and the creation of joint solutions to emerging challenges around water conservation and ecological restoration. We find transboundary water governance in the basin is influenced by both long-term and short-term contextual changes that can inform strategies key actors employ to bolster institutional resilience and take advantage of opportunities for transformative change. Further, we find that the evolution of the binational relationship is reflected in changes in the negotiation process and structure, which highlights the importance of trust and relationship building, transparency, joint fact-finding, and information sharing to foster collaboration. However, we also find uneven institutionalization of stakeholder participation and transparency in engagement patterns that may ultimately, serve to hinder governance and cooperation in the basin.

Thai transgender women in Europe: Migration, gender and binational relationships

The article identifies subtle structural and socio-political issues behind kathoeys’ (Thai male-to-female transgender) migration decisions and categorizes the structural aspirations of their migrations to Europe and their goals to be in binational relationships in their search for a “better life.” The research was conducted in Thailand, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK and Denmark. The article also reveals kathoeys’ irregular migration and outlines relevant literature in the light of gender, sexuality and migration, as well as their sentimental dynamic and feminine identity formation validated by their binational relationships under crypto-colonized cultural ideologies.

Love Across Borders: On Population Structures, Meeting Places and Preferences in a Globalizing World

In our paper, we study the factors shaping the formation of four different types of marriage in Switzerland: marriages with a Swiss partner, marriages with partners from the neighboring countries which are geographically proximate and where one of the official languages of Switzerland is spoken, marriages with partners from other European countries and with partners from overseas. Going beyond the current state of research, we study not only the national structural characteristics of the Swiss partner market and the individual resources of the spouses, but the actual meeting places of the partners and their reasons for being in these locations. Thus, we analyze whether, in a globalizing world and partner market, it is still primarily national opportunity structures that shape different forms of intermarriage. Using a mixed-methods approach we first show, based on census data, that the probability of these marriages is shaped by the structural opportunities of the partner market in Switzerland and individual characteristics like age and education. Second, relying on survey information, we demonstrate that bi-national relationships exhibit a specific pattern of meeting places: in particular, those couples with one partner from a non-neighboring or non-European country often meet abroad and in more open foci of activity. This has not previously been demonstrated empirically in the research literature and clearly shows that the factors shaping these marriages are not covered by a theoretical model focusing on the structural opportunities of national societies. Finally, we scrutinize narrative interviews and show that meeting a spouse abroad is the result of both specific partner preferences and patterns of spatial mobility. Thus, global opportunity structures are to a certain degree shaped by individual agency.

Living in Exile: The Experiences of Individuals in Same-Sex Binational Relationships in Latin America

ABSTRACT While migration is a global phenomenon, laws and policies privilege certain groups of migrants over others. For example, at the time of this study, same-sex couples did not have the right to spousal immigration sponsorship in the U.S. Same-sex binational couples faced numerous legal challenges and some migrated in order to remain together legally. It is likely that where same-sex binational couples are living will have an impact on their well-being and their relationships. Thus, a descriptive phenomenology (n = 6) was employed to examine the following research question: What are the experiences of individuals in same-sex binational relationships who live in Latin America in order to be with their partner? The following predominant structures emerged: (a) differential access to immigration; (b) financial and career impact; (c) lack of social support; (d) laws and policies; (e) emotional impact; (f) impact on relationship; and (g) plans for the future.

Perceived stress, psychological functioning, and resilience among individuals in same-sex binational relationships.

This study examined data from 183 individuals in same-sex binational relationships in June 2013 before the Supreme Court overturned DOMA. More than half of the participants (61.2%) were U.S. citizens and 33% (n = 60) had a partner living outside the U.S. It was hypothesized that (a) perceived stress

Resilience and migration: Experiences of same-sex binational couples in Canada

ABSTRACTA phenomenological research design was employed to investigate experiences of individuals in binational relationships who migrated to Canada with their partners due to discriminatory immigration laws that prevented them from remaining together legally in the United States. Participants (N = 17) were American (N = 7), British (N = 2), French (N = 2), Canadian (N = 1), Chinese (N = 1), Colombian (N = 1), Dutch (N = 1), and two with dual citizenship. This article centers on participants' experiences of resiliency throughout the migration process to Canada. Results revealed resilience in three overarching categories: building a life in Canada, re-careering in Canada, and creating social support networks. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.

The evolution of transnational families: bi-national marriages between Japanese women and Pakistani men

ABSTRACT This article examines transnational family development by drawing on the findings of longitudinal research on bi-national marriages between Japanese women and Pakistani men. This type of marriage increased in Japan during the 1990s after a surge in male labor migrants from Pakistan. Very little attention has been given to bi-national relationships between women of the global North and men from the global South. This article explores the ways in which gender, nationality, and other factors intersect in the creation of transnational families. More specifically, it focuses on transnationally split family dynamics in which Japanese wives relocate to Pakistan with their children while their Pakistani husbands remain in Japan to work. These transnational strategies bring the families various opportunities in terms of economic advancement, children’s education, and the provision of care for the elderly. However, they also encounter various challenges as their life-courses unfold. Thus, this article highlights both the possibilities and limitations of these transnational families and shows how these Japanese women contest and negotiate their roles and positions within transnational households.

Efectos del nuevo lindero. Indios, mexicanos y norteamericanos ante la frontera establecida al término de la guerra entre México y Estados Unidos

After the end of the war between Mexico and the United States (1846-1848), the establishment of the new border sparked population movements and intense reciprocal action among inhabitants on both sides of the Rio Grande. This happened concurrently with the intensification of Apache and Comanche incursions into the populated areas of northern Mexico, seriously affecting the lives of people along the border and impacting not only the border regions on both sides of the river, but the binational relationship itself.

Immigrants in same-sex binational relationships under the Defense of Marriage Act.

Immigrants in same-sex binational relationships under the Defense of Marriage Act.

Working Mis/Understandings: The Tangled Relationship between Kinship, Franco-Malagasy Binational Marriages, and the French State

Marriage migration and family reunification have become one of the few ways for migrants from former French colonies to gain legal entry to France. As a result, love, marriage, and kinship have become central to the politics of contemporary border control. Based on extensive research with Franco-Malagasy families in southwestern France, this article examines how couples negotiate the complexities of their binational relationships in the context of state-fostered xenophobia and suspicion. I suggest the analytic of a working mis/understanding to capture how these marriages operate. While at one level the working mis/understanding enables Malagasy women and French men to bridge their different notions of kinship, at another level it naturalizes a long-standing colonial relationship between France and Madagascar. I further consider how the sociocultural dynamics of the working mis/understanding illuminate how state regulations produce the commodification of intimate relations allegedly intrinsic to these marriages.

“This Was My Only Option”: Career Transitions of Canadian Immigrants in Same-Sex Binational Relationships

This phenomenological study explored the career transitions of 17 individuals who immigrated to Canada. These individuals were in same-sex binational relationships and faced immigration challenges because their relationships were not recognized by the U.S. government. As such, they felt forced to immigrate to Canada and, as a result, had to renegotiate their careers. Results demonstrated that participants faced challenges throughout their career transitions in the United States (student visas, work visas, living undocumented) as well as in Canada (lack of networks, transferability of credentials, presence of discrimination). Participants also discussed their decision to immigrate and how it affected their career transition. Finally, implications for counseling are addressed.

Nonheterosexual Binational Families: Resilient Victims of Sexual Prejudice and Discriminatory Immigration Policies

An unprecedented number of American citizens are facing the challenge of being in a non-heterosexual binational relationship. Although immigration laws are based on the principle of family unification, under current federal law lesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans cannot sponsor their same-sex foreign national partners for residency in the United States. Consequently, an estimated 36,000 couples face the threat of family separation because the narrow definition of “family” used by U.S. immigration services excludes same-sex binational couples and their children. Despite the fact that family research indicates that long periods of separation have harmful effects on the family, immigration law continues to deny binational families the basic right of family unity afforded many of their heterosexual counterparts. Bi-national couples must learn how to function in a social system while dealing with heterosexism, overt discrimination, violence, and the psychological symptoms that result from helplessness. This article will explore the ways in which nonheterosexual binational families must struggle to keep their families together as a result of the discriminatory ways in which laws are constructed in this country. We propose that discriminatory immigration policies have neglected contemporary family research that describes the family as a diverse array of intimate systems that provide mutual care.

J. Walter Thompson, the Good Neighbor Policy, and Lessons in Mexican Business Culture, 1920–1950

This article looks at the corporate history of J. Walter Thompson to examine the nature of U.S.-Mexican relations in the aftermath of the Great Depression and World War II. It contends that local conditions, along with a cadre of “progressive” Good Neighbor Policy diplomats, forced American companies to adopt the role of “commercial diplomats,” altering the nature of what, up to 1940, had been a tense and bitter binational relationship. The article shows how Thompson's role as a commercial diplomat changed its previous “capitalist missionary” approach and how it complemented American diplomacy, including national security measures to displace German commercial influence in Mexico during Word War II.

J. Walter Thompson, the Good Neighbor Policy, and Lessons in Mexican Business Culture, 1920–1950

This article looks at the corporate history of J. Walter Thompson to examine the nature of U.S.-Mexican relations in the aftermath of the Great Depression and World War II. It contends that local conditions, along with a cadre of “progressive” Good Neighbor Policy diplomats, forced American companies to adopt the role of “commercial diplomats,” altering the nature of what, up to 1940, had been a tense and bitter binational relationship. The article shows how Thompson's role as a commercial diplomat changed its previous “capitalist missionary” approach and how it complemented American diplomacy, including national security measures to displace German commercial influence in Mexico during Word War II.