Square peg in a round hole: Migration and romantic relationship troubles in the UK Zimbabwean diaspora

Abstract: This qualitative study, in the form of in-depth semi-structured interviews which were analysed through Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) was carried out with divorced Zimbabweans living in the UK. Their stories, presented in this paper, shed light into the interplay between migration, enculturation and divorce. A snowball sample of 30 interviews were conducted over a period of six months in 2019 with participants from across the UK (excl. Northern Ireland). Most of the respondents were middle-aged, [30-45] and all had been living in the UK for at least one year. The research revealed how enculturation tensions are associated with marriage problems, but also how male divorcees were resistant to change as the change was perceived as a threat to their masculinity, leading to conflicts and ultimately divorce. Themes regarding structural inequalities, cultural ideologies, gender and violence are explored. Our findings have important implications for social services and marriage counsellors.

Author(s): Mvikeli Ncube, Nicola Bentham

Date Published: March 17, 2023

Depositing User: Jawad Ali

Keywords: Zimbabwean diaspora, Migration, Enculturation, Masculinity, Gender, Divorce

Pages: 1-9

Place of publication: London

Publication title: Qeios

Published URL: https://www.qeios.com/read/ZUGV68

Publisher: Qeios Ltd. UK

Subject(s): Migration, Enculturation, and divorce

Type of publication: Research Article