Family behaviour of migrants

Family behavior and family dynamics have undergone drastic change during the last half a century. This has produced considerable diversity in family structures across and within countries in Europe. In recent decades, increasing levels of international migration has contributed to this diversity. Many migrants come from contexts with other family systems or socio-demographic development than what prevail in the country where they settle. The family behavior of migrants can be influenced by factors that relate to the contexts of origin as well as destination, through processes of socialization, selection and adaptation. Family behavior may also be influenced directly by intervening factors linked to the process of migration itself. This holds for international as well as for domestic migrants. The current contribution outlines the state of art in terms of family-demographic research on migrants, with attention to conceptual issues, empirical research and scope for future research on the family behavior of migrants in Europe