Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IMEI (Intermarriage and ethnic identity)
Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2024-09-30
An important element of social cohesion and contact between majorities and sub-state ethnic minorities are intermarriages, which are either welcomed as vehicles easing the tensions between nations and sub-state minorities or criticized as important drivers of assimilation and the ‘destroyers’ of ethnic minority communities. The social aspects, family dynamics, and identity construction of family members in intermarriages were not studied methodically in Central and Eastern Europe. Therefore, the goal of the Intermarriage and Ethnic Identity (IMEI) project is to analyze the social implications of intermarriages between members of ethnic minority communities and the majority nations in Vojvodina, the multi-ethnic region of Serbia. The IMEI project will contribute to the state-of-the-art by analyzing the social impacts of intermarriages on three levels, namely the individual (micro), the family (meso), and the societal (macro) in a significantly multi-ethnic geographic region. On the individual level, the project will examine ethnic and cultural identity transformations undergone by partners in intermarriages. On the family level, we will explore the processes of intergenerational transfer of ethnic, religious, and cultural markers. On the societal level, the project will investigate the workings of the relevant and quite modern ethnic minority policies and legal framework of Serbia and their impact on intermarriages. This research is relevant in the wider European context as well, as we will specifically target the Hungarian, Slovak, and Romanian ethnic minorities living in Vojvodina, whose kin-states (Hungary, Slovakia, Romania) are members of the European Union, whose members often have dual Serbian and EU citizenship and are therefore subject to the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, the European Union’s key policies for the protection of (its) minorities.
The Intermarriage and Ethnic Identity project, funded by Horizon Europe’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, explored the complex dynamics of intermarriages in the multi-ethnic region of Vojvodina, Serbia. I conducted in-depth interviews with intermarried couples to understand how ethnic identity was negotiated and transformed within these relationships. Additionally, focus group discussions were held with young adults born from intermarriages, focusing on their sense of belonging, identity formation, and the transmission of cultural values.
The project aimed to analyze how intermarriages affect individual identities, family dynamics, and broader societal perceptions. At the individual level, the research revealed how ethnic identity within intermarriages evolved, with participants describing the challenges and opportunities of navigating multiple cultural and ethnic affiliations. On the familial level, the project shed light on how intermarried couples managed the cultural and religious differences within their households, especially concerning the upbringing of children. This involved examining decisions around language use, religious practices, and the transmission of ethnic traditions.
The societal level of the research focused on how these intermarriages were perceived in a context shaped by ethnic tensions, nationalism, and the legacy of the Yugoslav wars. The project demonstrated that intermarriages challenge the rigid ethnic categories that often shape social and state policies, revealing a more fluid and dynamic understanding of ethnic identity in multi-ethnic societies like Vojvodina.
These findings provided valuable insights into the everyday experiences of intermarried couples and their children, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of ethnic integration and cultural coexistence in regions marked by ethnic diversity and political complexity.
The project aimed to analyze how intermarriages affect individual identities, family dynamics, and broader societal perceptions. At the individual level, the research revealed how ethnic identity within intermarriages evolved, with participants describing the challenges and opportunities of navigating multiple cultural and ethnic affiliations. On the familial level, the project shed light on how intermarried couples managed the cultural and religious differences within their households, especially concerning the upbringing of children. This involved examining decisions around language use, religious practices, and the transmission of ethnic traditions.
The societal level of the research focused on how these intermarriages were perceived in a context shaped by ethnic tensions, nationalism, and the legacy of the Yugoslav wars. The project demonstrated that intermarriages challenge the rigid ethnic categories that often shape social and state policies, revealing a more fluid and dynamic understanding of ethnic identity in multi-ethnic societies like Vojvodina.
These findings provided valuable insights into the everyday experiences of intermarried couples and their children, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of ethnic integration and cultural coexistence in regions marked by ethnic diversity and political complexity.
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The Intermarriage and Ethnic Identity project transcends traditional understandings of intermarriage by adopting a multi-level analytical framework that considers both micro-level family experiences and macro-level policies influencing ethnic identity. Centered on the multi-ethnic region of Vojvodina, the project examines intermarriages as transformative spaces where ethnic, linguistic, and religious practices are continually renegotiated, moving beyond simple cultural blending. This approach introduces the concept of "cultural transfer," portraying intermarried families as dynamic environments of identity formation and redefining existing models of cultural assimilation.
The project’s findings challenge policies rooted in ethnic homogeneity, particularly in Serbia and the Balkans, by highlighting the fluidity of ethnic identity within intermarriages. It suggests that rigid ethnic categorizations fail to capture the complexities of individuals’ lived experiences in multi-ethnic societies, underscoring the need for adaptable, inclusive policies.
In terms of broader impact, further research is essential to validate the project’s insights across other multi-ethnic regions. Demonstrating the findings through longitudinal studies could deepen understanding of the long-term impact of intermarriages on ethnic identity. Moreover, access to funding and intellectual property support would facilitate the creation of tools for measuring integration, benefiting institutions focused on ethnic diversity.
To maximize the project’s relevance, international collaboration and policy advocacy are critical. Partnerships with global research institutions could extend the findings’ applicability, particularly in regions with complex ethnic interactions. A regulatory framework that embraces adaptive policies, accounting for the fluidity of identity in intermarried families, would ultimately advance both academic understanding and policy development on ethnic diversity and integration.
Through these contributions, the project bridges academic and policy discussions, providing invaluable insights into the evolving role of intermarriage in fostering inclusive, diverse societies.
The Intermarriage and Ethnic Identity project transcends traditional understandings of intermarriage by adopting a multi-level analytical framework that considers both micro-level family experiences and macro-level policies influencing ethnic identity. Centered on the multi-ethnic region of Vojvodina, the project examines intermarriages as transformative spaces where ethnic, linguistic, and religious practices are continually renegotiated, moving beyond simple cultural blending. This approach introduces the concept of "cultural transfer," portraying intermarried families as dynamic environments of identity formation and redefining existing models of cultural assimilation.
The project’s findings challenge policies rooted in ethnic homogeneity, particularly in Serbia and the Balkans, by highlighting the fluidity of ethnic identity within intermarriages. It suggests that rigid ethnic categorizations fail to capture the complexities of individuals’ lived experiences in multi-ethnic societies, underscoring the need for adaptable, inclusive policies.
In terms of broader impact, further research is essential to validate the project’s insights across other multi-ethnic regions. Demonstrating the findings through longitudinal studies could deepen understanding of the long-term impact of intermarriages on ethnic identity. Moreover, access to funding and intellectual property support would facilitate the creation of tools for measuring integration, benefiting institutions focused on ethnic diversity.
To maximize the project’s relevance, international collaboration and policy advocacy are critical. Partnerships with global research institutions could extend the findings’ applicability, particularly in regions with complex ethnic interactions. A regulatory framework that embraces adaptive policies, accounting for the fluidity of identity in intermarried families, would ultimately advance both academic understanding and policy development on ethnic diversity and integration.
Through these contributions, the project bridges academic and policy discussions, providing invaluable insights into the evolving role of intermarriage in fostering inclusive, diverse societies.