Couples and Marriages of a Different Race
Couples and Marriages of a Different Race
Brian Andrew Wong
Marshall University
Author Note
This paper was an assignment in Deviance and Social Control (SOC 311) taught by Frederick Roth, Ph.D., due Monday, December 10, 2012.
Marriages with spouses of a different race are increasing (Jayson, 2012; Jordan, 2012). While friendships with people of different races are commonly accepted, the issue of friends, race, and relationships to people of a different race remain complicated (Childs, 2005, p. 59). Although such marriages are no longer prohibited by law, there still remains some social disapproval. Why are some people disapproving while others are approving of such relationships? Does childhood exposure to individuals of different races play a part? Does the degree to which race is a factor matter? Do people who associate themselves with racially diverse or accepting people face less disapproval?
I decided to explore these questions from research and interviewing friends who either are or were romantically involved with someone of another race. As a native of Washington, District of Columbia and having been adopted at the age of six months by parents of different races, I have grown up around so much diversity where people of different races are well-integrated on many levels; friendships and marriages with people of different races are quite common. Upon coming to Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, I experienced some culture shock; a part of the culture shock I experienced was the lack of cultural and racial diversity in the area, especially within the student body. Most of the students on campus who are culturally/racially diverse are students who are studying abroad from different countries.
I am going to touch on history very briefly. I believe when it comes to matters of advancing social acceptance based off some sort of identity, such as race, bringing up history and the inequalities only hinders
Brian Andrew Wong
Marshall University
Author Note
This paper was an assignment in Deviance and Social Control (SOC 311) taught by Frederick Roth, Ph.D., due Monday, December 10, 2012.
Marriages with spouses of a different race are increasing (Jayson, 2012; Jordan, 2012). While friendships with people of different races are commonly accepted, the issue of friends, race, and relationships to people of a different race remain complicated (Childs, 2005, p. 59). Although such marriages are no longer prohibited by law, there still remains some social disapproval. Why are some people disapproving while others are approving of such relationships? Does childhood exposure to individuals of different races play a part? Does the degree to which race is a factor matter? Do people who associate themselves with racially diverse or accepting people face less disapproval?
I decided to explore these questions from research and interviewing friends who either are or were romantically involved with someone of another race. As a native of Washington, District of Columbia and having been adopted at the age of six months by parents of different races, I have grown up around so much diversity where people of different races are well-integrated on many levels; friendships and marriages with people of different races are quite common. Upon coming to Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, I experienced some culture shock; a part of the culture shock I experienced was the lack of cultural and racial diversity in the area, especially within the student body. Most of the students on campus who are culturally/racially diverse are students who are studying abroad from different countries.
I am going to touch on history very briefly. I believe when it comes to matters of advancing social acceptance based off some sort of identity, such as race, bringing up history and the inequalities only hinders
References: Childs, E.C. (2005). Navigating interracial borders: black-white couples and their social worlds. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. Jane Elliott. (2006). Jane Elliott. Website.