Ethnicity-Related Partner Selection Experiences Among Young Adults from Christian Armenian Families: A Qualitative Study in Turkey

Abstract

In this qualitative study partner selection experiences of young Armenian adults were examined using Ecological Systems Theory and Filter Theory as a theoretical basis. The literature review of partner selection was reviewed in three subtitles as theoretical foundations of partner selection, partner selection studies in Turkey, and intermarriage and intramarriage in Armenians. The study was conducted with 10 participants and data analysis was undertaken through thematic analysis using MAXQDA. This approach emerged nine themes and eight subthemes across four levels. Individuals' Filters and Preferences about Partner Selection Level themes were as follows: 1. Choosing an Armenian partner is a priority, 2. Importance of the Partner's Ethnic Identity is Highlighted for Long-Term Relationships, 3. Implementing other selection filters than ethnic identity, 4. Advising Armenian Partner to Children without Rigid Restrictions. Impact of Immediate Social Environment level emerged as Theme 5: Community disapproves and judges out-group marriages, 6. Friends tend to select Armenian partners w/out isolating others, and 7. Families implement and contain partner restriction, Social Connection Level theme revealed: 8. Strength of ties to Armenian Culture/Community promote deeper interiorizing of ingroup partner selection, Attitudes and Ideologies of the Culture Level emerged as 9. Concerns about sustaining culture/population promote in group partner selection. Themes and Subthemes were elaborated upon and discussed in the results and discussion sections providing comprehensive insight into the partner selection experiences of young Armenian Adults. Thematic analysis of the interviews exhibited the interaction of the larger social systems during the partner selection process of Armenian young adults. Thus, this study introduced an extended framework illuminating partner selection experiences among ethnic minorities in the Turkish context