In America we see so many different races, is giving up your ethnic heritage worth interracial relationships?

Question

What are the common struggles that arise in such scenarios? How does it affect the relationship? Do the parents play a role? Is learning to assimilate to one another's cultures worthwhile?

Answer 1

If you have to understand America today, then you must study nations which were like America in the past. Take for example Rome, Italy, or India. These were places which had a glorious past. These places were visited by people from all over the world and today they have become a synthesis of all races and heritage. They were considered the best places on earth during their glorious days and many countries and races lived there or invaded them.

Inspite of all that, individual ethnic heritage is maintained.

Inter-racial relationships:

Interracial marriages and relationships have become increasingly accepted and encouraged by society. Since the 1967 legalization of interracial marriage, the number of mixed race marriages has more or less doubled with each passing decade. There are currently over 1.6 million interracial marriages in the United States and that figure is forecasted to continue rising. For the most part, relationships between races are no different than the interactions between people of the same race. There are however, certain issues such as faith, cultural traditions and racism that can cause tension and discomfort in the relationship.

Successful relationships often result in marriage, and the wedding plans themselves can be a major struggle. Some couples choose to avoid cultural tradition altogether, some choose to have two separate weddings in order to celebrate both traditions properly, and some try to compromise by combining cultural customs and creating their own. When preparing for interracial weddings, many of the parents feel that their cultural traditions are being denied and can cause problems. Including the families in the decision making process is a great way to keep everyone communicating and feeling happy.

Once married, mixed race couples face more decisions concerning holiday traditions, religious worship and children. It is important to talk about where holidays will take place and which traditions they will choose to celebrate. Many couples choose to worship either separately or they will find a different faith that suits them both. Issues concerning children, and how they will be raised both in faith and cultural are also major concerns for mixed race parents. The mixed race children should also be taught how to deal with racism.

Almost all interracial families encounter racism in some shape or form. Many of these families will benefit from dealing with tough problems, like racism and will experience improved family strength and problem solving abilities. While there are many issues faced by those in interracial relationships, the friendships and romances are often worthwhile and fulfilling.

Answer 2

Assimilation doesn't just happen in interracial relationships. It's necessary for people to adapt themselves to a certain environment, so they don't feel out of place, uneasy, or left out. It's not such a bad thing. I'm open to interracial relationships, although I know it's a lot more difficult. You may not have to assimilate to the other culture, but you definitely need to learn to respect the differences in these two cultures though. I personally would prefer to choose a guy whose cultural background is like or similar to mine.

p.s. I've lived in the States for 6 years and am assilimiated to the host culture to a certain degree. People who know me well enough can tell it.

Answer 3

I belive God seperated us for a reason. When you mix the races back up, something wonderful is lost in the exchange. For example, Christian marries Jew. December roles around and couple tries to celebrate both religions, but after a while, get tired of the trying. Then son grows up and marries Afro-American. Then they are trying to work in Kwanza( 'scuse the spelling) into the mix. All the while, each of these celebrations has lost something, and that's only two generations. I know some would use the old "seperate, but equal" ploy in that it wasn't equal back in the day.
I feel that you can grow an orange tree right next to an apple tree and neither will take away from the other, but why try to grow oranges on an apple tree. It can be done, but why?

Answer 4

I'm a LAO-BOY, from an "OG" perspective...I feel that if both people can learn to appreciate one another whether black or white, yellow or green... and not forgetting their own culture that they can only gain respect by learning and accepting each other's culture then you can gain happiness. What I mean is that if your willing to be with someone other than your own culture both must accept the family traditions, values and show respect towards the elders from both side and knowing the difference of the two culture with respect and learn to adapt to changes. How one carries themselves is the first appearance seen before getting judgemental from peers. I think the question is "What would one person do for love." (let me know if this sounds rite or confusing or I sound like a dork?...hehehe!!!)

Answer 5

I don't believe one has to give up their ethnic heritage to have an interracial relationship. I would say that it is hard in fact hard if the relationship has lead to marrage,because then both sides would have to adapt to changes, but its impossible to change a bit of your culture without changing what the culture represents. Gosh SV, thats a hard question. I'd say its worthwhile, because maybe the generation dies with the decision, but as long as you don't forget who you are and your spouse respects your background, then things could work. Yep. Heys, I did fall in love with a Vietnamese girl, when it was the viets that killed my people in the war. Hahaha,I'm not sure I answered your question, but I hope I helped.

Answer 6

No matter the interracial relationship, a person's ethnic background is theirs for life.
I don't stop being who I am based on who I go out with...
I might expand my cultural interests and take on enjoyment of another culture's food or music, but I haven't lost anything.
The most common struggle is not between the members of the couple, but from comments from strangers or others who don't see the real feelings there.

Answer 7

I am 1/2 Mexican and 1/2 White, I lived and adopted by my White Grandparents, I have been with my husband that is 1/2 Jamaican and 1/2 Black for 12 years. We have never asked each other to ever give up our ethnic heritage and we have always respected and learned from each other. Both of our sides of Parents did play a role, and both of them have chosen not to loose their child over their stupidity and ignorances. Society still stares at us, but, hopefully while they are starring at us they can see that we are very very happy with each other, and they get over it. Usually it is for some odd reason more of a problem for "them" than it is for us.

Answer 8

if you are truly in love with someone then there should be no bounderies. too much emphasis is put on ethnic background. people need to stop and remember that all the races today were brought here from other lands. there will always be someone who opposes a person for the way they think or the way they dress. wars have been and will continue to be fought over these same reasons. until people can finally come to the realization that we are all human then its like fighting a losing battle.

Answer 9

Why would you need to give up anything to enter a relationship?
Love is always worthwhile and almost every relationship goes through tough things. Race, and ethnic heritage should not matter. Love conquers all.

Answer 10

depending on how far down the line you go all of us are going to be the same in the end... i mean every new generation that is born here is the united states looses a significant amount of their ethnic heritage. we are all so americanized that it seems that we will all be the same in the end. just like if I moved to france and had children and they had children... pretty soon they wouldn't be american children anymore, they would be french children.

The only problem with interracial relationships are the social and cultural norm deviations associated with it. It seem "unnatural"... whatever.