Yutani, "International brides: Cross-border marriage migration in China and Japan through a feminist lens," 2007

Jeanine Emiko Yutani, M.A

Abstract (Summary)

While a great deal of migration research cites classic "push" and "pull" factors as those which are primarily responsible for marriage migration, International Relations feminists have turned their investigations toward the intersections of race, class, gender, and other hierarchical social structures at the global level. This thesis, through employing a multi-level feminist approach, will show how a variety of gender and culturally-biased attitudes intersect with demographic changes and state policies to influence international or cross-border marriage practices and policies in China and Japan. Empowerment which has improved the lives of many Chinese and Japanese women has not been enjoyed equally among those of various classes, educational or ethnic backgrounds, nor by migrant women, whether legal or illegal. Only through discovering more of the lived experiences of female international and cross-border marriage migrants can policies and processes be shaped to effectively address the growing challenges of ever-increasing international migration.

Advisor: Rosen, Stanley
Committee members: Katada, Saori,  Cooper, Eugene