“My Family Would Crucify Me!”: The Perceived Influence of Social Pressure on Cross-Cultural and Interfaith Dating and Marriage

Family Influences on Hooking Up and Dating Among Emerging Adults

“…Within this literature, social learning and social control theories have elaborated the mechanisms of family influence on adolescent sexual behavior. Social learning theory positions family members as primary agents of socialization, exposing adolescents to social norms and models of sexual behavior that are often internalized and emulated (Crockett et al 1996;Yahya and Boag 2014). Social control theory, in contrast, shows how family members delimit sexual behaviors, either indirectly through expressing care and concern or directly through the imposition of constraints (Longmore et al 2009).…”

‘Sadly, Not All Love Affairs Are Meant To Be … ’ Attitudes Towards Interfaith Relationships in a Conflict Zone

“…For example, it is not yet known whether interfaith relationships thrive or suffer in areas of war or conflict. Although interfaith relationships have been found to be avoided more compared to cross-cultural relationships (see Yahya and Boag 2014a;Yahya and Boag 2014b), it would be interesting to investigate whether negative attitudes towards interfaith relationships are even more pronounced in Israel, where the current conflict may increase tensions between Muslims and Jews. In addition to the fear they may endure as a result of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, they may be more prone to emotional and psychological distress as a result of engaging in an interfaith relationship.…”

“…Despite the increasing likelihood of interfaith and cross-cultural intimate relationships occurring as a result of globalisation and multiculturalism -barriers still remain that prevent these relationships from occurring more often. Previous studies suggest that religious teachings and cultural tradition play a role in educating and dictating to individuals whom they shall and shall not marry (Marshall and Markstorm-Adams 1995;Leeman 2009;Cila and Lalonde 2013;Yahya and Boag 2014a;Yahya and Boag 2014b). In terms of religion, for instance, the three primary monotheistic religions of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism all forbid interfaith and cross-cultural marriages to some extent (Marshall and Markstorm-Adams 1995;Leeman 2009;Cila and Lalonde 2013;Yahya and Boag 2014a;Yahya and Boag 2014b).…”

Till Faith Do Us Part …: Relation Between Religious Affiliation and Attitudes Toward Cross-Cultural and Interfaith Dating and Marriage

“…Although it is assumed that in-group and similarity preference generally prevails (Brown, McNatt, & Cooper, 2003;Harris & Kalbfleisch, 2000;Osbeck & Moghaddam, 1997;Yahya & Boag, 2014), interfaith and cross-cultural relationships do occur, and some studies have been devoted to answering the questions as to how and why this may transpire. For example, the racial motivation theory (Richard, Yankee, & Bletzer, 1997) proposes that people are attracted by mysteriousness and strangeness in others of a different race (who are also usually of a different cultural background).…”

“…Interfaith and cross-cultural dating and marriage are actively discouraged by certain cultures and religions (Leeman, 2009;Pettys & Balgopal, 1998;Rosenthal, Ranieri, & Klimidis, 1996;Yahya & Boag, 2014) and hence may decrease the likelihood of such relationships occurring with people that are highly affiliated with their culture and=or religion. For instance, Catholic Christianity and Judaism are examples of faiths that strictly forbid interfaith marriage.…”