Interracial couples as well as same sex couples face many of the same controversial problems and dilemmas, however, not many differences could be seen between the values of these couples regardless of their generations. The two different groups of individuals being interviewed were a selected group of interracial couples of an older age group ranging from 60 – 33, and a group of same sex couples the ages of 25 – 19. The relationship that was being studied was the relationship values between individuals in interracial relationships in previous generations versus the values of individuals in same sex relationships in our current generation. My hypothesis was that interracial couples as well as same sex couples face many of the same controversial problems and dilemmas, therefore not many differences could be seen between the values of these couples regardless of their generations.
Interracial couples have been defined by my partner Zoya and I, as two people of different races or ethnic backgrounds who are united economically as well as emotionally and physically in a monogamous relationship. Likewise, same sex couples have been defined, as two people of the same sex who are united economically as well as emotionally and physically in a monogamous relationship. Coming from a very mixed and interracial family, as well as someone in a same sex relationship; the idea of studying what was important to me and others of my generation relationship wise as oppose to older generations of mixed races seemed almost necessary as well as interesting. My partner agreed, saying that she was interested on what the differences and similarities might be; also hypothesizing that the studies done on the interracial and same sex couples could pertain t...
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...rences would have played into the project. Relating what I have done to my major and to my career aspirations, it has allowed me to think as a sociologist. I have decided to enter the field of criminal justice with a possible minor in sociology. This project has allowed me to take the first initial steps into the world of sociology as far as research, review and experiments/studies.
Works Cited
Cohen, T., DeVault, C., & Strong, B. (2011) The Marriage and Family Experience 11th Edition. S4Carslile Publishing Services
Ford-Robertson, J., & Lewis, R. (2010) Understanding the Occurrences of Interracial Marriage in the United States through Differential Assimilation. Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 41 Issue 2 (p405-420)
Van Hook, J., & Zhang, Y. (February 2009) Marital Dissolution among Interracial Couples. Journal of Marriage and Family, Vol. 71 Issue 1 (p95-107)
Race and ethnicity is a main factor in the way we identify others and ourselves. The real question here is does race/ethnicity still matter in the U.S.? For some groups race is not a factor that affects them greatly and for others it is a constant occurrence in their mind. But how do people of mix race reacts to this concept, do they feel greatly affected by their race? This is the question we will answer throughout the paper. I will first examine the battle of interracial relationship throughout history and explain how the history greatly explains the importance of being multiracial today. This includes the backlash and cruelty towards interracial couple and their multiracial children. Being part of a multiracial group still contains its impact in today’s society; therefore race still remaining to matter to this group in the U.S. People who place themselves in this category are constantly conflicted with more than one cultural backgrounds and often have difficulty to be accepted.
Marriage, as an institution, has evolved in the last few decades. As society progresses, the ideas and attitudes about marriage have shifted. Today, individuals are able to choose their partners and are more likely marry for love than convenience. While individuals are guaranteed the right to marry and the freedom to choose their own partners, it has not always been this way. Starting from colonial times up until the late 1960’s, the law in several states prohibited interracial marriages and unions. Fortunately, in 1967, a landmark case deemed such laws as unconstitutional. Currently, as society progresses, racism and social prejudice have decreased and interracial marriages have become, not only legal, but also widely accepted.
Morse, Jennifer R. "Marriage & Relationships." The Problem With Living Together. Focus On The Family, 2001. Web. 21 Feb. 2014.
Women and men always have different perspectives on topics. Not always will a married couple see eye to eye. Even individuals from the same culture and race still have different opinions. A couple may spend their life together, consequently to discover they have grown apart. As a result a husband and wife were in the kitchen, doing the dishes when the topic of interracial marriage came up. Tobias Wolff’s short story “Say Yes” uses the main characters point of view and symbolism to address interracial marriage and racism.
The social issue of interracial relationships has been evident throughout history. Slavery in America greatly altered the views on interracial relationships. All African Americans were seen as less than dirt and treated any terrible way the white men or women wanted to treat them. According to Interracial Relationships: A Rundown of Issues, “African American men who so much as looked at a white women could be killed, and brutally so” (Nittle). This shows how much the white men and women despised African Americans. The whites would find anything the African Americans did as offensive. Therefore, the African Americans were afraid to even attempt a relationship because they would get killed for looking at a white. The white men were able to look at white women as much as they wanted, but race discrimination kept the African American men from doing so. Since the African American men and women were not s...
In closing, while Ferrer has presented a well thought-out article that has achieved its goal, at least in my case, of opening the reader’s mind to other relationship styles, he does overlook a few areas. Our society is always changing and along with that the way we form relationships. Divorce and inter-racial marriage has become fairly common-place and acceptable, while same-sex marriages are slowly working toward that goal. This shows that people prefer to do what they feel is best for them, and makes them happy, rather then what societal pressures makes them feel they should do. By doing what makes us happy, and what we feel is right, we slowly change societal opinion. You can not please everyone, so you may as well please those that are important to you, as long as you do not harm to others.
The growth in the multiracial population in the United States of America since the 1970’s has greatly increased and is continuing to increase. Although the number of biracial and multiracial Americans is relatively small to the total population at 5 million, the multiracial population is growing at a rate of ten times faster than that of the White population (Stuckey 2008). These facts weren’t officially known until the United States government’s verdict to allow individuals to claim multiple races on the 2000 US census. Along with these aspects, the increased exposure of multiracial public figures and celebrities such as Tiger Woods, Halle Berry, and Barack Obama, has caused the focus of public discussion and scholarly attention on multiracial people to increase greatly. Much of this discussion focuses on racial identity. Racial Identity is put to question in censuses and other polls, applications, and in personal meetings. When it comes to answering in these situations I believe most biracial White-Black people internally identify as Black, and describe how both Blacks and Whites see them as Black. I argue that the one-drop rule still shapes racial identity.
Particularly since, even presently, large portions of people remain strongly opposed to interracial relationships even being permitted by law. According to the Gallup poll, only 77 percent of people in the United States approve of marriage between whites and African Americans (Field, Kimuna, and Straus 2013, p.744). This statistic indicates that a large percent of Americans are still ignorant to the belief that people should be free to marry whom they chose, and leads to the continuing of negative notions about interracial relationships. Even the thought of how parents would react to an interracial pairing for their child is frequently negative corresponding to; Field, Kimuna, and Straus (2013) stating that a clear racial difference is apparent, with white and black unions being viewed as the most unfavorable racial pairing by parents (p. 764). This perception is clear, despite the students surveyed having a consistently more positive view of all types of interracial dating. The fear of parental rejection can hold many people back from having the relationship they desire. On the other hand another perception of interracial relationships is the conviction that many individuals are
Interracial marriages accounted for only thirty- three percent of all marriages in 1980 according to the 1980 census. Despite the small amount this was an increase from 1970 when it was only nine percent. However it is seemed to be believed that the actual percentage is much greater because many couples either find the census difficult to use or refuse to report this on such forms.
The trend and patterns of interracial marriages have increased substantially in America over the past few years. Between the early 1970 and late 1980’s after abolishing laws prohibiting interracial unions, the proportion of interracial marriages was under five percent of all married couples in America (Lewis & Robertson, 2010). Although recent surveys indicate that the percentage of interracial marriages is a little over five percent in America, the rate and frequency of occurrence are alarming (Lewis & Robertson, 2010). The American society has become more diverse and much of this diversity has been attributed to the growing number of new immigrants (Qian & Lichter, 2011). Immigration has lead to assimilation of many cultures into the mainstream American culture and as a result narrowing the gap between majority and minority groups. The United States of America Census Bureau show that there has been a dramatic increase in population due to immigration (Qian & Lichter, 2011). For instance, between 1980 and 2007, the Hispanic population in America has doubled while the Asian population has increased by four percent, and the Black population is more or less the same over the same time period (Lewis & Robertson, 2010). The increase in size of the population has resulted in the increase rate of interracial marriages. Interracial unions in the 1980’s represented about three percent of all marriages in America (Lewis & Robertson, 2010). In the year 2000, interracial marriages have only increased approximately by two percent, with marriages between Hispanic and white representing the greatest balance of all interracial marriages (Lewis & Robertson, 2010).
Marriage is the foundation of modern society and has historically been present in most civilizations. Marriage is associated with many positive health outcomes and is encouraged across most racial/ethnic groups. According to Sbarra, Law, and Portley (2011), the social institution of marriage has changed much since the 19th century especially in the way it can be terminated. Married African American or Black men are happier, make more money, are less likely to face poverty, and choose healthier behaviors than their counterparts that are divorced (Bachman, Clayton, Glenn, Malone-Colon, & Roberts, 2005). The converse is true for Black women who seem to be the only sub-group not to achieve the universal health and other benefits gained from marriage (Bachman, et al., 2005). This paradox in marital benefits have many implications including lower martial satisfaction and divorce.
Each partner involved in an interracial relationship may have his or her unique experience with racial, ethnic, or gender bias. These experiences often influence intimate relationships. In an interracial relationship, the marginalization or discrimination experienced by the partner from a minority group often arise in the relationship. Racial biases or even it suspicion may arise even in the most serious relationship. Fusco (2010) found out that racial profanities were intermittently used sarcastically by interracial couples during confrontations. Any form of racial insinuation has a great likelihood of causing physical or emotional abuse among interracial couples. The unique social and legal experience of interracial couples implies that they face great social and structural challenges. As a consequence, interracial relationships have a greater risk of conflict that result in
Hanson, Richard R. "Optimizing Marital Success: The Conscious Couple Uniting Process." Humboldt Journal of Social Relations 32.1, TRANSLATIONAL APPLIED SOCIOLOGY (2009): 158-83. JSTOR.Web. 11 May 2014.
In conclusion, society needs to consider the feelings of interracial couples. A person may not agree with interracial relationships, but they do not need to discriminate against them. Even today in the year 2002, society has its problems with interracial relationships. Through education and the way couples raise their children, the problem or problems facing interracial couples will diminish.
Interracial marriage has positive effects on families. Families involved in interracial marriage are exposed to different cultures which are different from their own. This can lead to positive effects which would make them more alert about different customs and can lead individuals to better opportunities such as jobs, careers, and the environment they are surrounded by. All of this diversity can lead to a better future. According to Wong, “Marriage is beneficial for couples, children, and communities. Married individuals, on average, are healthier, than the unmarried” (251), which shows that interracial marriages can prosper and make life within the marriage a lot better. Interracial marriage is a helpful experience which can enhance self-awareness and make one more alert of their surroundings.