Mixed Marriage Challenges in Libya: Fertility, Socialization, and Nationality Crisis in Families of Libyan Women Married to Foreigners – A Case Study of Tripoli

Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon of mixed marriage between Libyan women and foreign men, focusing on its sociological, demographic, and legal repercussions within Libyan society, with Tripoli as a case study. The research aims to analyze the interrelationship among three core dimensions: fertility patterns, child socialization, and the legal identity crisis affecting children born to these unions. Employing a descriptive-analytical approach, the study utilized questionnaires and in-depth interviews with a sample of 100 Libyan mothers married to foreigners, along with their adult children and a group of social and legal experts. The findings reveal several critical challenges. First, fertility rates and birth spacing patterns are significantly influenced by the foreign husband's cultural values, economic pressures, and legal uncertainties surrounding children's status. Second, mothers face considerable difficulties in socializing their children, who often experience dual or fragmented identity due to the clash between Libyan and paternal cultures. Third, and most critically, the children suffer from a severe legal identity crisis stemming from deficiencies in Libyan nationality law (Law No. 17 of 1954), which does not automatically grant them citizenship. This results in systematic denial of fundamental rights, including education, employment, healthcare, and legal documentation, leading to social stigmatization and psychological instability. The study concludes that there is an urgent need for legislative reform to ensure equal nationality rights for children of Libyan mothers married to foreigners, alongside targeted social support programs to facilitate their integration and protect their well-being in Libyan society.