Nowadays, it is hard to believe that there was a time when people loving each other could not marry just because they belonged to different races. In 1967 Loving v. Virginia case put an end to that atavistic prejudice and made it possible for people of various skin colors to click any interracial dating site and start searching for their significant ones without any social pressure 50 years later. Does that mean that their relationships are not clouded by any challenges now, in the year of 2017?
Barriers inside
As regards to outside barriers, social attitude to mixed marriages has dramatically changed in a positive way, and now more than two-thirds of Americans are absolutely OK with them. Nevertheless, couples still encounter barriers that arise inside their families. Those challenges may affect the micro-climate of a family much more than any stereotypes and uncomfortable looks of strange people.
- Unrealistic expectations
When relationships only start, and two people chat with each other all day long on one of the american dating sites, send hearts messages and experience chemistry, they do not tend to think of possible future hardships their family may face, including misunderstanding related to different cultures. In case a couple has a realistic vision of possible challenges they might face in the society and mastered effective strategies to deal with them, then their bonds are not in danger.
- Children
As children grow up, they notice that they their parents look differently, or that they themselves do not look after one of their parents at all. The need to self-identify will sooner or later arise, and that process might be not so easy-going. Different approaches to raising children can add some fuel to the flame. By this reason it is so important to have one strategy of raising children and help them to facilitate the process of identity formation and understand that they are lucky to inherit two cultures.
- Culture
This aspect of biracial families’ lives is often the ground for arguing. No wonder why, since it encompasses so many important things that framework our lives. The questions what language to teach children, what holidays to celebrate, what religion children will choose are inevitable. Here the main focus is on readiness to discuss cultural differences, awareness and respect of them. Only then these issues won’t be the stumbling block ruining love and relationships. Many families create their own traditions and are happy with them.
- Criticism
Many intraracial couples are caught by this trap. Temptation grows stronger for biracial marriages because the differences are evident and difficult to understand and admit initially. Some habits and attitudes to parents, sex, finance, for example, may seem strange and ridiculous. And even minor comments are able to offend a partner and become a starting point for future arguing and misunderstanding. In case a couple has managed to avoid it, they find out that one day the unique emerged identity exists instead of two different races.