What the study found
The authors argue that the dominant marriage migration lens should be expanded to cover cross-border intimate mobilities, meaning a wider range of gendered, sexualized, and unequal intimate relationships across national borders. They also argue that research should account for the contextual backstory, or opportunity structures, that shape these pathways over time.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that this broader approach is needed to reset the research agenda beyond marriage migration. They say it would better capture the lived experiences and the place-based conditions that shape intimate mobilities between the Global South and North.
What the researchers tested
This is a research article that reviews and rethinks the existing marriage migration perspective using feminist gender perspectives. The authors use Thailand as a demonstration case, describing it as one of the largest sources and locations for cross-border intimate mobilities.
What worked and what didn't
The marriage migration framework has been influential and remains the dominant analytic lens, especially for studying women's subjective experiences in unequal unions with foreign men from wealthier Northern countries. The authors find this framework limited because it centers mainly on marriage and does not fully include the broader range of cross-border intimate relationships or the opportunity structures that support them.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe empirical data, sample size, or specific findings from the Thailand example. It also does not provide detailed limitations beyond the authors' call for a broader research frame.
Key points
- The authors argue for expanding marriage migration research to broader cross-border intimate mobilities.
- They say the field should include more than marriage and should cover a wider range of unequal intimate relationships.
- The study emphasizes the importance of opportunity structures, or contextual backstories, that shape these mobilities over time.
- Thailand is used as a demonstration case because it is described as a major source and location for these mobilities.
- The abstract presents a conceptual rethink rather than reporting new empirical results.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Authors call for broader study of cross-border intimate mobilities
- Authors:
- Paul Statham, Sirijit Sunanta
- Institutions:
- University of Sussex, Mahidol University
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-21
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Photo by dimitrisvetsikas1969 on Pixabay · Pixabay License
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