Gender and ethnic differences in migration of young adults in contemporary Kyrgyzstan

This study uses two survey data - one conducted in Kyrgyzstan and another in the United States - to examine the effect of familial responsibilities, cultural expectations and tradition in Kyrgyzstan on young adults' decision to marry a foreigner. It predicted there would be certain gender and ethnic differences in migration of 18 to 30 years old young adults, citizens of Kyrgyzstan. Two assumptions were explored: 1) females, more than males, would like to marry a foreigner and stay in a foreign country and 2) Russian, more than Turkic respondents would like to stay in a foreign country if they found a mate who was a foreigner. These differences were expected due to contrasting familial responsibilities of females versus males and Russian versus Turkic young people. Familial responsibilities did not explain the gender and ethnic differences in marriage migration. The gender variable suggests further investigation whereas the ethnic differences show a stronger effect on the marriage migration. Russians, more than Turkic young adults, wanted to marry a foreigner since they wanted to emigrate from Kyrgyzstan eventually and did not want to return.Department of SociologyThesis (M.A.