Virtual: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7905645674
Codi: 1984

Prof. Dr. Irena Kogan
Chair of Comparative Sociology. University of Mannheim (Germany)

Abstract:

This study examines the role of physical attractiveness in the partnership formation of young male refugees relying on the Social Exchange Theory (SET), which posits that individuals may exchange attributes such as physical attractiveness for higher status in other domains. Using data from the PARFORM study, which focuses on refugees from Syria and Afghanistan who arrived in Germany between 2014 and 2018, the study tests how physical attractiveness is associated with the likelihood of forming partnerships with German women possessing higher education, higher socio-economic status, German citizenship, or belonging to the German majority group.
Preliminary results indicate that refugees’ attractivity consistently increase their likelihood of forming partnerships with women who possess German citizenship. Athleticism is consistently associated with a higher likelihood of forming partnerships with higher educated women and has a tendency to correlate with the likelihood of partnering women who German citizenship. Grooming, in contrast, is not significantly correlated with partnership outcomes.
Overall the ongoing analyses suggest that physical attractiveness, including athleticism, may help refugees gain more secure residence status. This finding introduces a novel dimension of social exchange, demonstrating how refugees may use physical attractiveness to achieve greater legal security in the host country.