Interracial marriage is a form of
exogamy. (Exogamy is considered a social arrangement where marriage is allowed
only outside a social group, community, clan or tribe) Interracial marriage can
also be referred to as mixed or intercultural marriage. Most people do not give
any consideration to skin colour, tribe or religion when choosing their life
partner, while others put all these factors into consideration before choosing
their mate. Some may wonder why someone will choose to marry a person who is e
from a different world, background and culture. Family, friends and the society
are not left out in such decision, they will definitely have a negative
attitude to bear when their son or daughter fall in love or marry someone from
a different race. They may not be too accepting the choice of a life partner
for several reasons, for some, they simply feel uncomfortable interacting with
people from different race. Interracial marriages is becoming popular around
world today and have undergone big transformation over the past generations.
People who are involved in this type of marriage may experience discrimination,
stigma and lack of acceptance from the society they live in. The challenges of
interracial marriages are uniquely different from other forms of marriages.
Couple who indulge in interracial marriages have to be able to effectively
blend into their partner’s culture, tradition, values and beliefs. Placing your
values above your spouse will only lead to slow, steady and certain destruction
of your marriage. Therefore, it is important to be well inform and aware of the
advantages and disadvantages involved with interracial marriages before taking
the big step.
Some advantages of interracial
marriage include but not limited to:
It enables the couple the opportunity
to learn the uniqueness of each other’s culture, understand each other ethics,
moral standards and way of life. They will also be able to learn each other’s
language, food, religion, their music, fashion and arts.
Genetics: Children that are born into
interracial marriages inherit the best side of their parents’ genes. This
unique combination of two different races can be of great benefit to offspring
of interracial couples when it comes to physical appearance, emotional strength
and IQ. Hey also tend to have stronger immunity against several diseases.
Breaking Stereotypes: When you marry someone that is of a
different race from yours, it gives you and people around you the opportunity
to break negative stereotypes about respective races. It also provides a
counter example to ignorant and hateful stereotypes, help others become more
open minded to accept other races, which will help create awareness and reduce
discrimination.
There is never a dull moment: Interracial couple never lack what to
talk about. They always have so many wonderful and diverse things they share
with each other such as talking about their childhood experiences, their
cultural history, food, fashion, languages and land.
Disadvantages of interracial
marriages include but not limited to:
Lack of acceptance: Interracial marriages tend to
experience high level of discrimination from family and friends. Family members
will find it very difficult to accept one’s choice of a life partner for fear
that one might abandon their culture and traditions, and over time forget their
root.
Different parenting Style: Interracial couples may have
difficulties in bringing up their children due to the different ways they were
brought up by their parents and the background in which they grew up .These
differences can cause disagreement amongst the couple. In other to avoid
clashes, it is important for interracial couples to compromise in the areas
that they disagree and come together in the areas that they agree on.
Both Families may have difficulties
interacting: Both
families may have difficulties in interacting and relating well with each other
due to differences in language, accent and intonation and stress pattern in
their various languages. Interracial couples may misinterpret gesture from
their mate and this could lead to serious misunderstanding.
Identity problem: They may have difficulties in knowing
which culture to belong to and some may end up not being able to identify with
their root especially if their parents never introduce them to both their
maternal and paternal relatives.
Attractunnecessaryattention: Interracial couple tend to attract
abnormal attention from people. For instance most people stare at them when they
are together in a public place. Particularly, when they are attending a social
function an unusual stare could make them uncomfortable and may decide to leave
the function before the official closing time.
Wrong motive Involved: Some people get into interracial
marriages because of personal interest. Some people have enter interracial
marriages as a result of promises of economic benefits, migration or political
reasons. For such individuals, the may be inundated with problems
People’s perception about this type
of marriages is undoubtedly taking a positive spin that is why interracial
marriages are flourishing today. So, before you take the leap into interracial
dating or marriage, be sure that you are well aware of the challenges
involved.
By Mercy Kukah
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