Navigating Hidden Relationships
Experiences of ethnically diverse youth and Third Culture kids in Aotearoa
This report was created to inform the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) Ethnic Communities Violence Prevention (ECVP) work programme, which aims to address violence within ethnically diverse communities of Aotearoa.
Navigating Hidden Relationships: Exploring the Experiences of Ethnically Diverse Youth in Aotearoa is a two-part report comprising both a literature review and an empirical exploration of the complexities, risks of harm, and strategies relating to navigating hidden relationships.
Background
Dating and relationships outside of marriage can be contentious and even non-existent in some cultural and religious contexts. In many Western countries, dating is a common and culturally accepted practice, often seen as a normal part of adolescent life.
For ethnically diverse youth, dating can become a point of tension when the cultural and religious expectations, traditions, and values of their family clash with those of the society they live in. As part of their struggle for acceptance, belonging, and connection, ethnically diverse youth often engage in romantic relationships secretly and hide their experiences from members of their family and communities.
