Trends in the modification of family forms under the influence of migration: data from a survey of experts

This article presents the first results of conceptualizing of the “migrant families”, investigations of family forms and models of relations, as well as the relationship between migration and the transformation of the institution of family and marriage using the example of migrant families from Central Asia in Russia. The empirical basis is in-depth interviews with 24 researchers representing various social disciplines and specializing in the study of international migration and family issues, both in Russia and in the Central Asian countries. The concept of “migrant families” refers to umbrella ones, since it covers different forms of families and models of family relations (marital, parent- child, kinship) at different stages of the family migration trajectory. Some forms of migrant families are following: transnational, including distant families; second or parallel families; mixed families; fictitious marriages/families; reunited families; families created during migration in Russia. The impact of migration on migrants’ families from Central Asia in Russia cannot be viewed as linear and unidirectional. Rather, such families find themselves in a continuum of many options, including norms of behavior and social practices in family relations accepted both in sending communities and in Russia. The choice of specific models of family relations, as well as the influence level of migration on an individual family, is to a certain extent determined by the family form, as well as the duration of the migration experience.