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Chapter 11

Black-white marriages are more than

twice as likely to consist of a black male

married to a white female (U.S.Census,

2008b).The reasons for this are not clear.

This arrangement may indicate black men

feel more freedom in their marriage choices,

or that they have a lower opinion of black

women as marriage partners than they do of

white women.It may indicate black women

have a low opinion of black men,or feel

more freedom to choose to remain single.

Black women often resent successful black

men who choose to marry white women.

Others claim this situation is a crisis in the

black community,contributing to the

increase in the numbers of single mothers

(Crowder & Tolnay,2000; Judice Powell,

2005).

A couple who intermarries—particularly

a black-white couple—is more likely to have

been married before and to be age

discrepant (varying widely in age; e.g., older

man with younger woman) (Knox &

Schacht, 1999). Intercultural couples often

choose to live in an urban community

which is diverse and puts distance between

them and their parents.

The Challenges of Intercultural Marriage

Intercultural marriages can be

problematic for ethnic groups seeking to

retain their culture and traditions.

Intercultural marriage partners often are at

odds with both sets of families. They find it

challenging to respect the ethnic traditions

of both families and pass them on to their

children, especially if they cannot

compromise. Couples may choose to break

ties with their cultural traditions rather

than try to resolve family conflicts. Couples

may also isolate themselves from their

families, either by choice or because one or

both families reject the couple for having

married outside the group (Karis, 2003).

Living without extended kin

relationships can be very stressful on a

marriage. This places more emphasis on

the marriage partners to fulfill needs

which are sometimes met by extended kin.

With the advent of children, couples living

without the support of extended kin may

find life particularly challenging. Such

stresses may cause the couple to become

even more isolated or may result in

intensified conflict. Such stress will also be

felt by children living without extended

kin. Often an intercultural marriage which

Interracial marriages between blacks and whites

are more likely to be age discrepant.

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