Cultural Variations in Marriage and Familybegins relatively stress-free can become
conflict-ridden when certain events
remind one or both spouses of family
heritage. For example, the death of a
parent often brings one back into contact
with one’s cultural roots. The process of
mourning such a death can become very
complex and stressful on an intercultural
marriage (Crohn, 1998).The Effects of Intercultural Marriage
on ChildrenChildren in intercultural families
sometimes suffer from identity confusion.
They may carry a heavy load of stereotypes.
Racial slurs may hit them from all
directions (Knox & Schacht, 1999).
Sometimes children from intercultural
marriages experience the stress of being
raised without the benefit of extended kin,
because their parents’ families have rejectedthem (Childs, 2005). But often these
children learn to be strong and self-assured.
Much depends on the attitude of the
parents, extended family, and community
regarding the marriage.
In 2006, the Census counted nearly 2
million multiracial children, 4.2% of
children under 18—these children no
longer need to feel different and alone
(U.S. Census, 2006a). The difficult truth is
that many of these children are still
fighting the “one drop rule” which
historically meant any trace of African
ancestry precluded one from being white
(Newman & Grauerholz, 2002).
Sometimes these children face the
awkward question,“What race are you?”
Many well-adjusted multiracial children
simply answer,“I am multiracial.”Variations in Social Class
In addition to racial and ethnic origin,
different cultural groups arise due to
income differences.America does not have a
rigid class system, such as the caste system
in India. Social class membership is not
defined objectively, but subjectively
(Thompson & Hickey, 2005). In other
words,Americans do not have to meet a
certain income level to qualify for
classification as“middle class.”A person’s
social class is closely aligned with self-
identity—social class is most often whatever
that person believes it to be. However,Biracial children may suffer from identity
confusion and racial slurs.© iStockphoto.com / bonniej