Interracial Dating
From
1970 to 1994, the number of married interracial couples quadrupled. The
trend continues to grow. More and more teens are dating interracially.
Many parents from another generation are having to adjust. What kids call
romantic, some parents are calling rebellious.
Josh, a white 16 year-old, is dating a black girl and it has caused some
family friction. “Once we started getting more serius then it changed.
. .my dad really found out about what was going on and if he doesn’t want
to have a part of it, I don’t want to have a part of him.”
As kids mix in schools and sports, it’s natural that they will mix in
love as well. Fifty-seven percent of teens who date say they have been
out with someone of a different ethnic background. Before parents object,
experts suggest they should examine their own prejudices and fears.
“One of the things that parents need to do is look within themselves and
find out, and try to figure out what it is about themselves that makes
them uncomfortable,” said Dr. Jennifer Kelly psychologist.
She suggested spending time with the person your child is dating and getting to know the child’s friends and dates.
What Parents Should Know
When
you send your child to school these days… it‘s likely it will look a bit
different than when you were a kid. Forced integration may no longer be
law in most place, but the racial diversity of most schools isn‘t about
to change. End result: Parents who may still have discomfort when it comes
to dealing with people of different ethnic or religious backgrounds often
find their kids have no problem at all. When kids bring diverse friends
home… it can cause a rift if they pick up on their parents unease. That’s
especially true if the “friend” is someone your child is dating.
The number of teens dating people of other ethnic backgrounds has nearly
doubled during the past ten years.
For many parents, cross cultural dating is a foreign idea. Sixty-four
percent of teens said that parents did not strongly object, but many parents
are adjusting to a trend that was sparse during their dating years.
Titling America “the ultimate melting pot”, Psychologist Jennifer Kelly, said that the changing times are sending many adults deeper within themselves for what it is that is making them uncomfortable. She said that identifying the obstacle will allow parents to begin dealing with situation.
|
“Once we started getting more serious then it changed . . . my dad really found out about what was going on and if he doesn’t want to have a part of it, I don’t want to have a part of him.” --Josh age 16 |
| |
|
Jumping the Hurdles The internet has numerous web-sites devoted to interracial relationships. Most of these sites offer forums for people to discuss the issues and hurdles many interracial couples face. Most cited disapproval from friends, family members and co-workers as the biggest obstacle. Awkward and disapproving looks from strangers, especially elderly people, were also issues of concern for many couples. |
|
|
Check 1..2..3 The
Federal Government is responding to the increased number of people
with multiple ethnic ancestry. For the first time in history, next
years census form will allow people to check more than one ethnic
category. Estimates indicate that 7% of the population are eligible
to check more than one box on the 2000 form.
The Census Bureau’s multiple check allowance stemmed from interracial
couples’ concern for their children and the pressure they feel to
choose only one ethnicity. A poll taken by Interracial Family.com, an on-line magazine reports that 61.6% of the voters preferred a single multiracial category over the option to check more than one category. The poll consisted of 206 voters.. |
|
Resources
|
|