ABSTRACT

While cross-cultural relations were once assumed to be inherently problematic, in recent years these couples have increased in both numbers and social acceptance, and there is now a growing awareness of how little we really know about them. Addressing this gap in our knowledge, this book presents 12 chapters focusing on cross-cultural couple formations (i.e., a partner from the U.S. and another from abroad). Highlighting both the struggles and successes of couples, this book challenges the principle of homogamy, helping the reader gain a deeper understanding and respect for intercultural couples. The chapters tackle a broad range of topics and issues, including systemic considerations of the phenomenon of cross-cultural couples, bilingual couples, interfaith relationships, struggles in such couple formations, different methods of approaching solutions, and the use of the internet to meet partners from diverse backgrounds.

section |94 pages

Examining Prevalent Assumptions about Intercultural Relationships

chapter |18 pages

“I Always Wanted to Marry a Cowboy”

Bilingual Couples, Language, and Desire

chapter |22 pages

“We're Just a Couple of People”

An Exploration of Why Some Black–White Couples Reject the Terms Cross-Cultural and Interracial

chapter |34 pages

Electronic Attachments

Desire, the Other, and the Internet Marital Trade in the 21st Century

section |108 pages

Particular Cultural Combinations

chapter |20 pages

Russian-American Marriages

Cultures and Conflicts

chapter |18 pages

Asian Indians in Intercultural Marriages

Intersections of Acculturation, Gender, and Exogamy

chapter |22 pages

Bridges Crossed, Paths Traveled

Muslim Intercultural Couples

chapter |24 pages

U.S./Caribbean Couples

Perspectives from Caribbean Psychology and Mainstream Social Psychology