Managing intimate interracial relationships

Abstract

It is evident that there is fairly widespread disapproval of intimate interracial relationships. This thesis explores the experiences of those involved in such relationships, how they manage their relationships, and the kind of pressures they confront. It considered the ways in which the reactions and attitudes of significant others and strangers impact upon such relationships and, the adaptive processes people involved have developed. The thesis also explored a range of popular explanations of the motivation of those involved in intimate interracial relationships. Utilising qualitative research methodology the study used semi-structured interviews with 20 black men and 20 white women about their experiences and involvement in intimate interracial relationships. The main findings of the study were that: 1) People involved in interracial relationships develop, individually and jointly, a range of strategies that enables them to manage their relationship in the face of hostilities and disapproval from significant others and strangers. 2) The people involved (particularly the black partners) go through a personal crisis because their sense of identity and cultural affiliations are called into question by significant others and strangers. 3) People involved in the relationship look 'within' for support and reinforcement rather than seeking the approval and acceptance of their relationship from significant others and/or strangers. 4) There is often an attempt to control and manage information about the relationship; for example whom to inform and when to inform significant others. 5) People involved in the relationships develop friendships with people in similar type relationships. 6) Black women were deemed by people involved in the relationship to express the most vehement opposition towards interracial relationships