Interracial Marriage: is it Trickier Than Same Race Marriage?

Most people usually have the notion that interracial marriage is one of the hardest things to sustain and feel that they have a higher chance of ending in than a same race marriage. Is this a bright analogy? I beg to differ.

Looking at statistics, a large number of divorces in the US are of same race marriages. I am sure you are now arguing that it’s because there are more same race marriages than interracial marriages. True. Well, let us look at this closely by comparing the potential problems stemming from an interracial marriage and matching them up to same race marriage. In an interracial marriage, you are more likely to encounter differences in cultures, backgrounds, religions and even language (though this may also apply in the case of same race marriage). We also have potential opposition from the families of those who choose to marry interracially. But then again, the same is possible with same race marriages…especially when the societal strata or educational background differs. Lastly, we have the public who will always be on your case with there glare and their insulting remarks. This is probably the main thing that someone in a same race marriage may not have to face.

Now let’s look at this critically and forget about race for a minute. Here are two people who have met at Harvard or working together shoulder to shoulder, they fall in love and end up marrying. Don't you think that a marriage between two people who share so much in common (from educational background or vocation) would be successful? An interracial marriage - just as a same race marriage - will present problems when there are other differences in the relationship, such as mentality, economic background, educational background and religious beliefs, when the couple have difficulty dealing with these differences. Personally, I believe that people in interracial marriages are more dedicated to making it work and overcoming their differences.

Marriage is most importantly a union of minds and the bodies. So it wouldn’t be right for us to sit and say interracial marriage is any worse than same race marriage. This is a marriage like any other that requires a lot of love and patience to make it work. Its up to the individuals to make it or break it. The success of marriage depends upon how the couple resolves their seemingly small day to day problems more than those larger than life differences.