In recent years, the spouse of Finnish men who have married to a foreign citizen has most often been of Thai background. The research project investigates the role and significance of Buddhism in Finnish-Thai homes. While the importance of religion for immigration has been recognized, the significance and the role of religion in multicultural families in the West have not gained research interest. However, religion have an impact, for example, on the family's economic choices and spending, the division of labor and child rearing. It also causes disputes and power struggles. The research is conducted by means of home ethnography, which means data collection in the homes of the Finnish-Thai families in Finland. Thematic interviews with family members are also conducted. In addition to scientific significance, the information produced by the research can be used both in broader societal and political decision-making and in individual-level solutions (e.g., related to migration).

2023

2027