are cultural differences.......?

Question

do you think cultural differences are an impediment to a healthy relationship? especially in a marriage scenario, two people of different value systems and with different ideas of morality may have difficulties with bringing up children?

My father always says to me 'if you dont marry a greek girl, i won't come to your wedding' - When I question him on this, he says it is because of cultural differences and a chasm in understanding. I used to just laugh and ignore him, but to an extent, he has a point. Many people simply don't understand each other enough because of cultural differences.

Can this be worked on, or is it a insurmountable problem?

Answer 1

i think it can be worked out, but it may take years and a lot of education on both sides. It is easier to just stay within your own culture though

Answer 2

Good question.

I have heard seen validated statistics that show that between 90- 95% of inter-cultural/inter racial marriages don't work, and I don't just mean black/white here. Which means that the odds are around 10:1 or 20:1 against a long and happy relationship.

Thing is, there are people that are worth it despite the odds, and two people who are worth it and work on understanding and bridging the gaps can be extremely happy and their kids have an extremely rich heritage from both sides.

Thing is, it takes work even within the same culture. Basically my advice is that a person needs to know what the obstacles are
before trying to run the course, and I think your dad is trying to point out one way to avoid some cultural obstacles.

So not an insurmountable problem. Just a more complex and frequently occuring one than mono-cultural marriages.

Answer 3

I think cultural differences can be a healthy aspect of relationships and bringing up children. My husband is Italian and i have native American roots. This has given us so much to talk about and learn. I think it made us seem more exotic to each other and attracted to each other. My husband is also catholic where i was raised in the baptist church. I ended up converting, but not because we were getting married but because i fell in love with the ritualism and reverence. Although the culture is different the value systems are the same for the most part and that is the most important part. It is hard to change values because they are beaten into us our whole lives but two open minded people are more than capable of overcoming cultural differences. We now have an 8 month old son who will have a wealth of cultural exposure and will be able to identify with all people, not just one culture.

Answer 4

I don't think cultural differences alone can prevent a normal relationship. However, when cultural differences include religious differences, the picture becomes more complcated. If both people feel strongly about their religious convictions, they will have a hard time co-existing, and especially raising kids. I am a "transplant" who moved to the US from a different country; there may be *some* "cultural" differences, but in general I don't have a problem with the US culture, and with dating people who were raised in this culture. The general values are actually fairly similar across cultures - I'd say, most cultures value vurtue, courage, kindness, things like this.

Answer 5

Its a tough one to work out. But I think as long as two people acknowledge and respect each other's beliefs, values and cultural differences then the gap can be breached. Its just a matter of both parties knowing what each other is about and finding common ground to work with.

Answer 6

Trust me..it is a huge problem..but it can be worked out if you really..really love someone, and have the patience of Job!
Not so bad if you marry into a similar culture, or have similar family values..but tough if it's total opposites like Pentecostal and athiest!

Answer 7

Look at it this way>>>
Men & women already have differences... because they're men & women... they're created differently in the physical sense, women are generally more into being emotional, men are generally more into being physical.
People/humans are already different because they have different needs, hopes, dreams.
Yet, men, women, people work their differences out... so, I would say that as long as both partners are willing to work out the differences, it could be a wonderful relationship/marriage.
Hubby & I are total opposites where characteristics (behavior/attitude) are concerned, but we work very well together because both of us are willing to work out our differences, in order to succeed.
Also... both partners being too much alike can be very boring... differences can add spice (excitement, more interesting, less boring) in relationships.

Answer 8

It can be worked on but both parties have to be willing to accept each others culture and at least meet half way or it will never work

Answer 9

I think it's one of the top hurdles. people with different values might be fine until kids come along but then things can get ugly

Answer 10

if you love someone, their race shouldnt get in the way. im biracial my dad is from mexico and my mom is danish(her parents are from denmark) and they get along very well. plus if you ever decide to have children "mixed" kids are the most beautiful..;)