Abstract
The migratory and societal dynamics: LATT (Living apart together
transnationally) Couples in Denmark and globally
Associate Professor Rashmi Singla, Gender -expert & Consultant Ambika Varma
Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
Abstract
In line with the panel 13 theme, including migrants’ lived experiences, this paper explores both migratory and
broader societal dynamics of LATT (living apart together transnationally) couples. The axiom of geographical
proximity being crucial for intimacy is challenged through the experiences of intimate couples living across
international borders. The increasing migratory restrictions for the reunification of intimate partners, especially
from the ‘Global South’ and the couples’ strategies to deal with these restrictions, are pivotal issues covered in
this paper. We examine the couples’ experiences within the social-cultural psychological perspectives and
emotional attachment processes, especially ‘digital emotions’ conceptualisation. The inclusionary ‘third space’
(Bhabha, 1996) at the societal level and the intersubjective co-creation concept with mutual recognition of the
‘shared third’ (Benjamin, 2004) are invoked in the theoretical framework. Two cases from an empirical research
project about 20 LATT couples in Danish and global contexts (Singla, under review) are selected as
illustrations.
The study results mentioned above show that the cycles of departure, separation, and return for LATT couples
are significant. In addition, the welfare policies and migration regimes affect couples temporally and
emotionally. Besides the labor market conditions such as job opportunities and aspirations, the restrictions,
and the social exclusions processes, the ‘suspicion’ also affect the couples’ intimate relationship. For some, the
privilege of digital emotion does not satisfy in the same way as offline emotions. However, a ‘third space’ of
hope (Dandekar, 2022) engendering new possibilities ameliorates exclusion, thus enabling LATT couples to
deal constructively with the problematic issues.
Keywords
Intimate couples, distance, restrictions , connection
transnationally) Couples in Denmark and globally
Associate Professor Rashmi Singla, Gender -expert & Consultant Ambika Varma
Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
Abstract
In line with the panel 13 theme, including migrants’ lived experiences, this paper explores both migratory and
broader societal dynamics of LATT (living apart together transnationally) couples. The axiom of geographical
proximity being crucial for intimacy is challenged through the experiences of intimate couples living across
international borders. The increasing migratory restrictions for the reunification of intimate partners, especially
from the ‘Global South’ and the couples’ strategies to deal with these restrictions, are pivotal issues covered in
this paper. We examine the couples’ experiences within the social-cultural psychological perspectives and
emotional attachment processes, especially ‘digital emotions’ conceptualisation. The inclusionary ‘third space’
(Bhabha, 1996) at the societal level and the intersubjective co-creation concept with mutual recognition of the
‘shared third’ (Benjamin, 2004) are invoked in the theoretical framework. Two cases from an empirical research
project about 20 LATT couples in Danish and global contexts (Singla, under review) are selected as
illustrations.
The study results mentioned above show that the cycles of departure, separation, and return for LATT couples
are significant. In addition, the welfare policies and migration regimes affect couples temporally and
emotionally. Besides the labor market conditions such as job opportunities and aspirations, the restrictions,
and the social exclusions processes, the ‘suspicion’ also affect the couples’ intimate relationship. For some, the
privilege of digital emotion does not satisfy in the same way as offline emotions. However, a ‘third space’ of
hope (Dandekar, 2022) engendering new possibilities ameliorates exclusion, thus enabling LATT couples to
deal constructively with the problematic issues.
Keywords
Intimate couples, distance, restrictions , connection
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Publikationsdato | 1 aug. 2022 |
| Status | Udgivet - 1 aug. 2022 |
| Begivenhed | The 21st Nordic Migration Research Conference: RE:MIGRATION - New perspectives on movement, research, and society - Københavns Universitet, København, Danmark Varighed: 17 aug. 2022 → 19 aug. 2022 https://amis.ku.dk/calendar/2022/21st-nordic-migration-research-conference-remigration/ |
Konference
| Konference | The 21st Nordic Migration Research Conference |
|---|---|
| Lokation | Københavns Universitet |
| Land/Område | Danmark |
| By | København |
| Periode | 17/08/2022 → 19/08/2022 |
| Internetadresse |
Emneord
- Intimate couples,
- distance,
- restrictions
- connection