Changing Gender Roles, Shifting Power Balance and Long-distance Migration of Couples

Abstract

Long-distance migration of couples requires joint decision-making within the household. The uneven power balance between men and women and traditional gender roles have given rise to the concepts of ‘tied stayer’ (usually the male partner) and ‘tied mover’ (usually the female). Since these concepts were introduced, women have gained economic power and gender roles have changed. The paper analyses the effects of these changes on the determinants of the long-distance migration of couples, using data for the Netherlands. For 1977, the results reflect the ‘classic’ pattern of family migration: the male’s human capital counted more than the female’s and a male age advantage led to more migration. Women seemed to use their power mostly to prevent migration. By 1996, the dominance of the male’s human capital had largely disappeared and the effect of an age advantage had become more symmetrical. The results point to the emergence of a new pattern, with a more equal power balance within couples