Crossing the Line: Interracial Couples in the South

Do Discrimination and Negative Interactions with Family Explain the Relationship between Interracial Relationship Status and Mental Disorder?

“…Although the rate of intermarriage has increased over time and surveys indicate greater acceptance of these relationships, research documents that people in interracial relationships experience stigma and discrimination (Childs 2005;Dainton 1999;Killian 2002;Luke and Carrington 2000;McNamara et al 1999;O'Brien 2008;Rosenblatt et al 1995;Rosenthal et al 2019;Steinbugler 2012). However, some racial groups are viewed as more acceptable marital partners than other racial groups.…”

“…Major discrimination involves a past event that interferes with upward mobility (Kessler et al 1994). Incidents of major discrimination toward individuals in interracial relationships are voiced by participants in qualitative research (Childs 2005;Judice 2008;McNamara et al 1999;Nemoto 2009;Root 2001;Rosenblatt et al 1995;Steinbugler 2012) 2004,2011,2012).…”

“…Childs (2005) and Rosenblatt and colleagues (1995) found that in contrast to White persons, Black people prefer romantic in-group relationships as a reaction to racism, because they are aware of racism perpetuated by White people toward them and aware of how other racial groups negatively view them. African-American persons may be regarded as "sellouts" and as having decreased pride in their racial group if they interracially date or marry (Childs 2005;Judice 2008;McNamara et al 1999). Related, some Black individuals believe that Black persons who interracially date or marry have rejected the Black community (Childs 2005;Killian 2002;McNamara et al 1999).…”

“…African-American persons may be regarded as "sellouts" and as having decreased pride in their racial group if they interracially date or marry (Childs 2005;Judice 2008;McNamara et al 1999). Related, some Black individuals believe that Black persons who interracially date or marry have rejected the Black community (Childs 2005;Killian 2002;McNamara et al 1999).…”

“…Everyday discrimination is a recent occurrence of unfair treatment involving assaults on one's character (e.g., being treated with less courtesy and respect) (Kessler et al 1994). Nearly two thirds (64 percent) of Black-White couples are subjected to negative social bias from the public (Dainton 1999) and qualitative research points out the everyday discrimination this group encounters (Childs 2005;Judice 2008;McNamara et al 1999;Nemoto 2009;Root 2001;Rosenblatt et al 1995;Steinbugler 2012). Interracial couples are likely to experience everyday discrimination, such as inferior treatment in restaurants or while shopping, racist obscenities yelled by strangers, and difficulties with neighbors (Childs 2005;Judice 2008;McNamara et al 1999;Nemoto 2009;Root 2001;Rosenblatt et al 1995;U.S.…”