Crossing over into the World of Interracial Dating

PRO: LEARNING ABOUT DIFFERENT CULTURES

Dating someone of a different race may allow you to experience a new culture, which may involve different rituals, food, religion or family structure. You may also learn new perspectives from your partner. These new experiences can help you become more open-minded and reduce your conscious and subconscious stereotypes. They can also challenge your beliefs and ideas, which leads to personal growth. However, don't make assumptions that a person of a certain race necessarily participates in cultures associated with that race.

PRO: BREAKING STEREOTYPES

Dating someone of a different race gives you and your partner opportunities to break negative stereotypes about your respective races. Providing a counterexample to ignorant and hateful stereotypes helps others become more open-minded and accepting.

CON: REACTIONS OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Your family and friends may be uncomfortable with your partner for several reasons. For example, they may believe negative stereotypes about certain races or feel uncomfortable interacting with people who are different from them. Your family may worry that you might abandon your cultural heritage if you become committed to a person of a different race, or they may be concerned that your partner's family or friends won't accept you.

CON: SOCIETY'S REACTIONS

Not only are you likely to experience some racism and stereotyping from your family and friends, you'll probably experience this in everyday society, too. People may be surprised to see you are a couple; they may treat you differently, judge you unfairly or make inappropriate comments.

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