Are you part of an inter-racial, inter-religion couple?

Question

My husband and I have very different backgrounds. I'm part Native American and Russian (basically, I'm White), and my husband is Pakistani. Unfortunately, when it comes to family issues amongst the two families, some things get lost in translation...I am pretty much just a spiritual type of person, and my husband was raised Muslim...The thing is, I totally respect my husband's family and their beliefs, but when it comes to my beliefs, I always have to hear "that's not the pakistani way" or "that's not the muslim way". I really bite my tongue for my husband's sake, but his family really drives me nuts with this! I know they don't accept the fact that both of their sons married American girls, but hey, what did they expect when they had kids in the United States? I think sometimes my in-laws forget where they are. Urgh. Can anyone relate?

Answer 1

I am a native Floridian cracker. My heritage- half German; the other half, just take a bit from every other Western European country. Funny thing is, most people look at me and think I'm Italian or Spanish. When I tell them I'm not, they argue with me.

My husband is from Wisconsin. He's Polish.

These culture clash, too, but in an amusing way. The first time I ever saw a pierogi, I said "what the hell is this thing?" When it was explained, I renamed them "redneck ravioli".

Anyway, the other poster is right. You should put them in their place. "That's the way at my house." is a good start. If you don't start pushing them back, they aren't going to get progressively better over the years.

Do they treat your brother in law's wife the same way? If so, maybe you all should stand together on this. Two is better than one, right?

Answer 2

Yes man I can sure nuff relate. I am a jehovahs wittness so you can only imagine the problems my boyfriends have with that. No ones parents approove of me nd they are always just like crazy over it like "Hey kid if you ain't catholic then pack you bags" Krazy as it is though I learned to rest assured that as long as he accepts it and respects my releigion then we are pretty cool. But you might want to send him hijnts bout how you feel or make him understand it by hven your parents crack down on im like that He'll get annoyed and when he does he will come to you about it and finally you'll find a easy way to tell him how you feel

Answer 3

Hey I was raised Catholic and married a Church of Christ man in a catholic wedding. They acted as though I had three heads. So yes I get it. Unfortunately their attitude is probably about Americans in general. You and your husband have to unite and not let them control your lives. Bless your heart I hope they leave you alone when you have children.

Answer 4

I'm part Jewish and Basque, from a Catholic background. My wife is Prussian and Lutheran.

Yeah, well. By this point in our lives, my mother is just happy I'm not gay. She loves when the grandchildren visit.

Answer 5

I can relate, because my girl is from China, and she is Buddist, and I am an African American. Anytime we have an arguement because of our cultures, I just ask her, "Do you want to sleep with you family, or me ?"

Answer 6

nope I couldn't be in a relationship like that it's too much work. There are plenty of guys like me that I can be with so why deal with drama. Good luck

Answer 7

I have interracial family and see no problem as long as they don't try to force their beliefs on me. My belief structure is personal.

Answer 8

either put his family in their place, ignore them, or try your darnest to not be around them. you can say i respect your beliefs and don't make comments so please respect mines. put them in their place.