Intercultural Relationships: Exploring the Differences in the Attraction, Maintenance and Success of Intercultural Romantic Relationships in contrast to the Homogeneous
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2009
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Haverford College. Department of Psychology
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eng
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Haverford users only
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Abstract
Intercultural relationships have been in occurrence from mans' infancy, when two clans unknown to one another first met and began to interact. The questions must have been endless: where did they come from, why do they look different, why do they have such alien customs? Of course, for just as long as there has been a realization of cultural differences, so have there been taboos against their amalgamation. But today we live in an ever-shrinking world. Airplanes can now reach previously unavailable locations to most consumers, and people of all walks of life who have enough money to buy a ticket can get from New Orleans to Timbuktu in a day. With such an increase in traveling ability, so too have businesses and governments latched on to the possibilities of establishing small factions within other countries to mediate actions concerning their economy and welfare, as well as gaining knowledge of the host in order to improve international relations. Technology now makes it possible for those living at opposite ends of the globe to contact one another on a daily basis, and with more computers coming with pre-installed web cameras; we can even chat in virtual face to face scenarios. We no longer live in a world where it is certain our families will not move from one location to another, or to an altogether different country for the sake of their work. While immigrants have in the past provided the most diversity within a country and its peoples, the influx of overseas business workers has created a new realm in cultural identity. What culture do you truly belong to in a world where the borders between country, culture and nationhood are blurring? While it is important to address the issues of cultural identity for oneself, there comes the question of how individuals from such diverse backgrounds will interact in personal and romantic relationships. As an example relationship, one individual is of Irish descent but moved to the U.S. as a child, is still strongly Catholic and knows every traditional Irish ballad ever written. The other is Muslim and has only just moved to the U.S. for work, and is still strongly attached to her own religion and cultural values. The two meet, fall in love, and suddenly are faced with some unique questions that may never occur with a culturally homogenous couples. This clash of cultures can be likened to the emotion of culture shock when having arrived in a completely new country. What foods can we eat together? What movies are appropriate? More importantly, what are the main relationship difficulties and issues that most other couples might not have, such as attributing an error to one's cultural upbringing, or understanding the importance of teaching the children one's religious values but not the others'? This literature review considers these main questions: 1. Why is it important to study Intercultural Relationships? 2. Why do individuals involve themselves in intercultural relationships? Why might they be attracted to them? What biological or evolutionary reasons may there be for intercultural attraction? 3. What are the unique benefits these couples experience from the perspective of the self-expansion model? 4. What might the importance of individual differences in individualism, collectivism, the romantic personality and attachment have on the intercultural relationship? 5. What are some of the family problems within intercultural dyads? How can a successful intercultural marriage be maintained? Understanding the need for more research and psychological solutions for intercultural couples is not only essential in the light of increasing overseas travel and living, but could ultimately aid counselors with intercultural couples to predict their success or failure and prescribe maintenance techniques with the comprehension of the unique obstacles that might occur.