Whose Gender Equality Counts?: The Case of Russian Migrant Couples in Norway

Abstract

The article addresses the problem of “normalizing” migrants within a nation state by means of a gender system. The example of Russian immigrants in Norway shows how crossing a physical border moves people across different gender systems. In this transition migrants (re-)negotiate their gender identities and understandings of gender equality. At the same time, trying to integrate into the host society, they problematize the normalizing power of gender systems functioning in a particular society. The article is arranged in three parts starting with an overview of Russian migrants in Norway as a group. The second part describes different gender systems, which Russian immigrant couples cross. The third part shows how Soviet, Post-Soviet and Norwegian gender systems affect the experiences and expectations of Russian migrants in Norway and how gender intersects with nationality and a nation-state gender system. In conclusion, the potential for changing a nation-state gender system and integrating diversity is discussed.