Mixed Marriages throughout the United Kingdom and the United States are becoming more and more common these days. Although more common and widely accepted than some years back, many of these marriages tend to have more than their fair share of problems. There are many different reasons for these problems, not just those that are considered normal within a marriage, but a whole range of “cultural problems.” When two different cultures are brought together, two different sets of beliefs are also brought together.
Religion is probably the biggest and most serious problem that exists within a mixed marriage. Two different religions mean two different sets of religious beliefs, both of which are usually backed by the family of either the husband or the wife. Nobody wants to give up their religious beliefs even if conflict exists. Some religions are more “conflictive” than others, but there exist mixed marriages where both the husband and wife are of the same religion, such as the “Catholic Religion” which has an enormous following throughout the word.
Setting aside the religious problems, the family (the in-laws) is also a big and important issue within a mixed marriage. Where “discrimination” exists within the family, this has a big bearing on the future success of the marriage. Not just skin colour discrimination, but “cultural discrimination” where for one reason or another, a different set of “cultural values” are not accepted by the other family. This “discrimination” varies in depth, from being some what mild to where nothing much is said about the subject, but exists, to an “outright denial” for the other culture, which always brings consequences.
Children are also drawn into the conflict zone. Where some religions almost force the expectancy of a large family within a marriage, and other religions are more conservative with regards to having children. Many children within a marriage maybe of a strong belief for one partner, while for the other partner, children may not be such an important issue. Children are expensive to keep these days, and money is always an issue for conflict where they are concerned, as within any marriage.
A lack of understanding for the actions of one or another of the partners is another problem. This is where one side of the marriage does not fully understand the other side. Apart from the fact that everyone is different, “religious” or “cultural beliefs” are the main reasons why certain people act within a certain way. It takes a lot of hard work to understand a partner within a conventional marriage, and more so when within a mixed marriage.
Although, not all mixed marriages suffer from “religious” or “cultural problems.” Where there exists a good degree of understanding, tolerance and respect for one another, harmony is often found. Mixed marriages work very well for the many of those who are involved in them, and often they work a lot better than those of the more common conventional type!
