Therapy with intercultural couples: A postmodern approach

Strengthening Connections in Interracial Marriages Through Pre-Marital Inventories: A Critical Literature Review

“…Some authors tout the benefits of interracial marriages, which may include a more thorough preparation for marriage, a greater degree of commitment, tolerance, respect, acceptance of differences, and broader opportunities for learning and growth (Biever et al 1998;Bhugra and De Silva 2000). Furthermore, children of interracial marriages may develop a greater degree of acceptance of differences (Biever et al 1998).…”

“…(Waldman & Rubalcava, 2005, p. 228) PIs and/or supplementary materials thus should be utilized in order to explore and identify these unconscious presumptions. Ethnicity and cultural presumptions influence many aspects of a couple's life, including gender roles, family upbringing, as well as what one values in a marriage (Biever et al 1998). Educators and therapists may benefit by taking steps to become knowledgeable of their clients' ethnicity and culture and of how these factors may impact their clients' relationships.…”

“…Interracial couples may be challenged as a function of backgrounds of experience related to differing habits, beliefs, values and customs, less common ground in the relationship, and institutional racism (Bhugra and De Silva 2000). Other areas that are heavily influenced by culture, and could become challenges in an interracial relationship, include differing sex-role expectations, parenting practices, attitudes towards work and leisure, holiday traditions, expressions of affection, and problem-solving strategies (Biever et al 1998). …”

“…However, PIs can be used proactively by encouraging couples, especially interracial couples, to learn more about their own and their partner's ethnicity. Areas that should be discussed include sex-role expectations, expression of affection, and problem-solving strategies (Biever et al 1998). Additional areas for exploration include beliefs and values surrounding weddings, births, children's spiritual path, holiday celebrations, and death (Greenstein et al 1993;Poulsen and Thomas 2007).…”

“…Supplementary material included with PIs could include a series of open ended questions that foster a level of understanding and respect for each other's differences, in part by discussing how ethnicity and culture influence each other's life (Biever et al 1998). According to Greenstein et al (1993), a couple's ability to establish mutual decisions will be fostered by having an understanding of one's own, as well as an understanding of one's partner's, religious and cultural background.…”