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Interracial marriages and its effects on society
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Interracial marriage also known as mixed marriage, miscegenation, exogamy, and multiracial, is a marriage between members of different races. It was just 44 years ago that interracial marriage was made fully legal throughout the United States, and it is becoming more common for members to marry outside of ones’ own race. The growth of interracial marriages in the United States corresponds with changes in the legal status of interracial marriages and what some would consider, little, but some changing of arrogance among Americans towards persons in interracial relationships. “Recent increases in interracial unions with Whites presumably reflect positive changes in American race relations as well as the blurring of racial boundaries and racial and ethnic identities” (Batson et al., 2006). The United States 2000 Census Bureau data reports an increase of interracial marriages which contained approximately five percent of all marriages in the Unites States (Forry, 2007). Among the misconception’s relating to interracial relationships people tend to think that the relationship is less successful because of the race difference. However, the true reason behind interracial marriage and relationships being unsuccessful is the lack of communication and clarification of each other’s cultural, and ethnic differences, this can cause a negative impact on the relationship. Notice there was no mention of the relationship being less successful than same-race marriage because lack of and or insufficient communication affects all types of relationships, not just interracial relationships. Many factors are attributed to conflicts among interracial couples. Nevertheless, there are positives aspects of interracial marriage and other ways to make the rel...
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Rodríguez García, D. (2006). Mixed marriages and transnational families in the intercultural context. Journal of Ethnic & Migration Studies 32(3), 403-433. doi:10.1080/13691830600555186
Troy, B. A., Lewis-Smith,J., & Laurenceau, J. (2006). Interracial and intraracial romantic relationships: The search for differences in satisfaction, conflict, and attachment style. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 23(1), 65-80. doi: 10.1177/0265407506060178
Wong, M. G. (2009). Strengthening connections in interracial marriages through pre-marital inventories: A critical literature review. Contemporary Family Therapy: International Journal, 31(4), 251-261. doi:10.1007/s10591-009-9099-1
Zhang, Y., & Hook, V. J. (2009). Marital dissolution among interracial couples. Journal of Marriage & Family, 71(1), 95-107. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2008.00582.x
Sollors, Werner. I Interracialism: Black-White Intermarriage in American History, Literature, and Law. New York: University Press, 2000.
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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.
1. Since interracial marriage became legal in 1967, only 7.5 percent of marriages are between people of different races. This means America is progressing, but it is not yet “color-blind”. People of different races are starting to date more (which shows the progression) but it is less likely to lead to marriage, compared to same race couples. Henderson and Rockquemore talk about how Americans believe we have developed a “color-blind” society, but they don’t specify what American think that or where the information comes from. This means the Americans they are referring to could all be in same race relationships. If that is the case, then the people who it matters to the most, the people in interracial relationships, might not think the same. Henderson and Rockquemore then go on to say, people in interracial relationships feel unique external pressures due to racism,
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.
America has had a long history of racism. This fact is more easily understood if racism is understood for what it really is. It is more than just personal hatred. Racism is the “belief that a particular race is superior or inferior to another, that a person’s social and moral traits are predetermined by his or her inborn biological characteristics” (What is Racism). The 21st century has brought a lot of changes to the American society. Nevertheless, racism still exists owing to the truth that it is still impossible to persuade the hearts of mankind in terms of racism, which leads to many people wondering how and when black and white racism will end in America. Many solutions have been suggested, and one of the various solutions is black and white interracial relationships. Such relationships have recently been successful in the 21st century, which leads us to the definitive question: can interracial relationships help reduce black and white racism in the 21st century?
Djamba and Sitawa (2014) stated that they approached this study through three sociological perspectives that they considered were important and suitable when researching interracial marriage; these three sociological perspectives are status-caste exchange, traditional assimilation, and cultural pluralism (530). They hypothesize that compared to white males, black women are more likely to be open to interracial marriage; younger individuals are more open to interracial marriage than their older counterpart; individuals who have a higher education are more likely to be in favor of interracial marriage than those who are less educated; and individuals with conservative political views are more likely to be opposed than those who have more liberal views (Djamba and Sitawa 2014:530-31).
Willimon, William H. "Interfaith Marriage: A Reality Check." Christian Century 130.11 (2013): 30-32. OmniFile Full Text Select (H.W. Wilson). Web. 3 Mar. 2014.
New York Times. "Arranged Marriages.(Home Desk)(Letter to the editor)." Global Issues in Context 18 May 1995: n. pag. Regina Caothlic Schools-Resources Online. Web. 1 Sept. 2014.
All these perspectives suggested in this paper suggest that interracial relationships have their challenges, but what might surprise people is that these challenges are actually a beautiful transformative gifts that in their wake can open our eyes.
Caroline Hwang made the point in her essay "The Good Daughter" that as a first generation American her parents expected her to marry a Korean man. Hwang decided to only date the non-Korean men which she knew she could "stay clearheaded about” so she could fulfill her parent’s wishes and bear children that looked Korean.
Black, Lisa. “Arranged – not forced – marriages a good match in many cultures.” Chicago
Throughout time interracial couples have had to endure many obstacles that has made it hard for them to live comfortably within our country. America’s history of slavery and racism has made it hard for people to accept interracial marriage. Over time it is shown that as a country the overall acceptance of interracial marriage has progressed. The Union itself has helped to put an end to prejudices between races within this country that has really plagued our society for so long. Today we can see that interracial relationships are changing people’s view on other races by getting a firsthand look into their lives. Interracial marriages are greatly affected by families and whether they accept or reject the union. In the article “Understanding the
Works Cited Romano, D. (1997). The 'Secondary'. Intercultural marriage: Promises and pitfalls (2nd ed.). Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press. Ho, M. K. (1990).