Running head: INTERRACIAL COUPLES
Interracial Couples
Ashlyn Huffman
University of Kentucky
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Abstract
Beginning in the twenty-first century, interracial couples have become prominent and accepted
within society in the United States. This literature review will describe the history associated
with interracial couples becoming legal in the United States, along with the advantages and
disadvantages of dating someone from another culture. The paper will also examine what attracts
people to date interracially and if the relationship is successful or not. To conclude the literature
review, an analysis of the sources will be performed. The limitations of the articles along with
further research will be discussed.
Keywords: Interracial, Intercultural, relationship, individuals, partners, culture
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Interracial Couples
According to Docan (2003), an intercultural relationship is defined as “a relationship (i.e.
association or connection) that is formed between individuals from different cultures” (p. 5). The
elements that define culture include traditions, beliefs, norms, and symbols that are transcended
through history (Docan, 2003). Throughout history in the United States, interracial relationships
have been illegal or frowned upon. Interracial relationships began in the twentieth century, but
were not widely accepted until the twenty-first century. Harris and Trego performed a poll
asking White Americans if they accepted or opposed Whites and Blacks dating (2008). The
study revealed that 77% of Whites accepted the idea of Whites and Blacks dating, while in the
year of 1990, the poll results showed that 66% of Whites opposed interracial dating (Harris &
Trego, 2008). History has had an exorbitant impact on whether or not an individual will date
someone from another culture. After describing the history, the reasons why individuals date
interracially will be described along with the advantages and disadvantages of interracial dating.
To conclude the literature review, limitations and further research will be mentioned.
History of Interracial Dating
Before the year of 1967, intercultural marriage was illegal within the United States.
Society and the government believed that races should be kept separate out of fear that racial
mixing would cause racial impurity and thus obscure physiological differences (Harris & Trego,
2008). Laws were set in place by the government to ensure individuals could not marry someone
with a different racial background. By enforcing these laws, the government was able to alleviate
the public’s fear of intermixing the races. However, in the year of 1967, a case was presented
before the Supreme Court that attempted to modify these laws. The case involved a European
American man named Richard and his wife Mildred, who was African American. In 1958, the
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couple decided to marry legally in Washington, D.C., although they were residents in Virginia.
One year after their marriage, the couple was arrested for violating the law. Richard and Mildred
were sentenced to one year in prison and could not return to the state of Virginia for 25 years. In
the year of 1963, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer represented the couple in the
Supreme Court case of Loving vs. Virginia Supreme Court. The couple won the case and the
laws concerning separation of intercultural marriage were abolished (Harris & Trego 2008).
Since the year of 1967, interracial dating and marriage has become more and more common.
Society has become accustomed to couples dating and marrying interracially. However, Harris
and Trego (2008), state in their findings that “younger and better-educated people in the US are
more likely to intermarry than older and less educated citizens” (p. 230). That finding shows that
the older generation as a whole is still uncomfortable with the idea of interracial marriage.
Fortunately, interracial couples are allowed to get married and most of society is supportive.
Why Date Interracially?
The complementary principle is a theory that states individuals like people who are
different from us. Therefore, people look for their significant other to compliment their own
personality. By dating interracially, one can guarantee that there will be differences that both
individuals bring to the relationship. These differences can include communication, personality,
tradition, and norms (Docan, 2003). However, too much contrast within a relationship can be
harmful and lead to disagreements within the relationship. Therefore, individuals who decide to
date interracially usually choose a partner who has a similar cultural background. By dating
someone with a similar cultural background, the relationship has a better chance of lasting. When
individuals choose to date interracially, there are several aspects they can learn about their
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partner, which will be discussed within the next section of the literature review (Foeman &
Nance, 2002).
Advantages of Dating Interracially
There are several advantages to dating someone of another culture. Docan (2003) states,
“within intercultural romantic relationships, partners can become more attuned to the family
backgrounds, cultural values, and religious beliefs of the other person” (p. 9). By dating someone
from a different culture, one is able to learn new forms of communication, religion, traditions,
and norms that help enhance oneself. Similarly, children born and raised by parents from two
different cultures are more diverse and obtain more knowledge about the world around them.
Additionally, one will acquire better communication skills, and learn new languages, ideas, and
perceptions (Docan, 2003).
Disadvantages of Dating Interracially
Although there are several advantages to dating interracially, there are also
disadvantages. Cools (2005) did a research study that included Finnish and non-Finnish couples,
which examines the difficulties of interracial dating. The first difficulty discovered by Cools was
language. Confusion and frustration were evident in the couples that were not able to clearly
understand what the other was trying to communicate. Communication is also problematic when
one of the partners grew up in a direct talkative culture, while the other partner grew up in an
indirect communication culture where silence was valued. Another difficulty seen in Cools
research was raising children. One couple was interviewed about a conflict they had dressing
their daughter. The non-Finnish spouse believed it was inappropriate for his daughter to wear
certain clothes and sit in certain positions, while his wife thought the opposite (Cools, 2005).
Societal or familial disapproval can also have a negative impact on an intercultural relationship.
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Disapproval can cause strain on the extended family, loss of familial relationship, and possibly
termination of the romantic relationship (Harris & Kalbfleisch, 2000). The last difficulty that
stems from interracial dating is female and male role. Finland is considered to be a feminine
culture. A feminine culture is where men and women partake in the same roles. For instance,
men and women take out the trash, mow the lawn, do the dishes, and fold the laundry.
Unfortunately, not all cultures are the same and when people of different cultures date, then
problems will arise. For one Slovakian women, she is accustomed to doing the household work,
while the men do the more labor-intensive work. Her cultural role is not the same as her partner,
which is Finnish, and therefore conflict arises.
Research Evaluation
Even though the sources provide valuable knowledge and insight, there are limitations
within each article. Further research is needed to better illustrate and interpret intercultural
relationships. One weakness I observed from the Harris & Kalbfleisch (2000) article was that the
survey they performed only included college-aged people. This only represents a small part of
our demographic. The author should have included a variety of age groups because the results
would vary from each generation. Another weakness that pertains to a limited demographic is the
article by Cools (2005). The article by Cools (2005), examined eleven couples from Finland.
One of the partners was Finnish, while the other partner was non-Finnish. While the information
captured was valuable, the findings cannot be applied to all couples because it is such a restricted
demographic. The last weakness seen within the article by Foeman & Nance (2002), was that the
research only included a certain race of people. The research study Foeman & Nance (2002)
performed only included Black and White couples. Therefore, one cannot assume that the
findings can be applied to all interracial couples. Overall, further research needs to include a
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wider demographic so that researchers and society can better understand intercultural
relationships.
Conclusion
As further research is performed, researchers will be able to provide society with a better
understanding of intercultural relationships and the advantages and disadvantages of dating
interracially. Since the year of 1967, the United States along with several other countries, have
made great strides in the area of intercultural dating and marriage. As time goes on, intercultural
marriage and dating will become more prevalent and accepted by society. While there are some
disadvantages and struggles for intercultural couples, there are several advantages and learning
opportunities that stem from intercultural dating.
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References
Cools, C. (2005, June). Relational dialectics. A study on intercultural couples. Paper presented at
International Communication Association Conference, New York, New York.
Docan, T. (2003, June). Building and sustaining intercultural relationships: Public perceptions
and practical benefits of friendships and romantic relationships in intercultural contexts.
Paper presented at International Communication Association Conference, San Diego,
California.
Foeman, A. & Nance, T. (2002). Building new cultures, reframing old images: Success strategies
of interracial couples. Howard Journal of Communications, 13(3), 237-249.
Harris, T. M. & Kalbfleisch, P. J. (2000). Interracial dating: The implications of race for
initiating a romantic relationship. Howard Journal of Communications, 11(1), 49-64.
Harris, T. M. & Trego, A. (2008). Something old, something new: A cinematic representation of
interracial romance in the 21st century. International & Intercultural Communication
Annual, 31, 227-253.