Problems With Interracial Relationships example essay topic

Racism is a national epidemic. Racial equality and civil rights reach across societal boundaries to protect everyone's individuality. Although our nation is based on equality, racism persists and creates numerous societal problems. One increasing problem facing America under the guise of racism is the topic of interracial relationships. In 1960 there were about 150,000 interracial marriages compared with 1.5 million in 1990 (IIA). Being a part of an interracial relationship in our racist society can be very difficult.

There are many reasons for this. I won t try to explain all of them. That would take forever because everyone is different. Here are some of the main reasons why it is so hard to pursue an interracial relationship and some suggestions that may help someone overcome the hardships of interracial relationships.

The media has led society to believe that Black and White relationships are not acceptable. Almost everywhere there are abstract messages against interracial relationships. For example, television shows. Almost all of the families in these shows are racially separated. To name just a few of the 'Black' family shows, we have The Cosby Show, Martin, Family Matters, and The Fresh Price of Bell Air. Some of the more 'White's hows are Melrose Place, Beverly Hills 90210, Home Improvement, and Married With Children.

For the most part these shows don't cast roles for couples to have interracial relationships. Television and the media have been putting ideas about race into our head for years, and only when we analyze this fact do we realize just how much television manipulates our perception of what is acceptable to society concerning race. Society also plays a role in discouraging interracial relationships. Society I believe plays the largest role when it comes to problems with interracial relationships. It's human nature to want to feel accepted, but having an interracial relationship in today's society can make people feel awkward or unaccepted. For example: If you have a child who is half-black and half-White he or she may be ridiculed by other children.

He or she may even be called names like 'half-breed', or 'Zebra. ' This leads to deep- rooted anger and confusion on the child's part when he or she is forced to choose which culture to identify with. Another is what people say, or do in public. People may stare, or think, 'What's that Black man doing with that White woman?' This causes turbulence in a relationships, and possible separation. Deciding whom you fall in love with isn't always your choice. It almost seems you have to fall in love with somebody because they are the same race.

Though that can be one reason for falling in love, there are many others. There are also many other pressures around us that try to convince us whom to fall in love with, such as parents and friends. Parents are an important influence on whom we fall in love with. We would all like to live up to our parent's expectations as far as whom we bring home, but at the same time we also want to keep the ones we love happy.

This is where the trouble starts. The majority of American parents want their son or daughter to be with people of their own race. I stumbled into a conversation with a young man about interracial relationships; particularly those involved with a black woman. He said his mom would 'kill' him if he ever brought home a Black woman to meet his mother.

He said his mom would first ask if he were crazy, then most likely disown him. This shows the seriousness of such a topic. Parents may not want their children to go out with people of another race for whatever reasons, but at the same time, the son or daughter might really be in love with the person they are dating. This is where parents pour on pressure. Do they keep their parents happy, or do they keep themselves happy. Another factor that may discourage one from pursuing an interracial relationship is the pressure of their friends.

It becomes a major problem when your friends don't like the person you are seeing because of their race. Thoughts may pass through ones? mind like your friends being first, and you feel you should listen to them. You also realize that you are in love and your friends should accept who you are in love with if they are really your friends. The main reason for the behavior of your friends is that they are experiencing feelings of neglect, and thoughts of them losing your friendship over someone new. These pressures should not be a problem for people, but unfortunately they are.

One of the ways to cure the problem of everyone feeling so uncomfortable about interracial relationships is by setting broadcasting standards and restrictions for media. Developing programs in school that will teach young children that interracial relationships should not be discouraged would help also. This would control media thus controlling societal views on the matter. We need not allow stereotypical ideas into our heads and give us ideas on how things should be. Another way to combat this problem is to get support from friends.

Even if friends cant relate to your situation by experience you should communicate with them and ask them how they would feel if they were in your shoes. They may start to see it your way after close consideration. One way to help a parent to overcome his or her grief over a son or daughter being involved in an interracial relationship is by reasoning with them. It should be explained to them that it is by ones free choice the relationship started and is continuing.

Even though many parents hold their same views, they should know that times have changed since they were young. Every problem relating to interracial relationships requires special attention because of the delicacy of feelings involved in each case. Considering that not all parents are as receptive as others are, one must handle each conversation pertaining to this subject very carefully. Some people may experience some or all the problems listed above. One certainty is that not all of the solutions will work for everyone. It is human nature to want to belong to ones own kind of people, but it is also an obligation on every ones part to educate our young ones so that one day we may end the fear of interracial relationships..