Summary #1 - Cross-cultural marriage

1. Summary

Jason and Julie settled on U.S. soil from South Korea and Australia respectively and are a happily married couple of more than a decade. They are a great example of a cross cultural couple who suffered a lot to maintain their cross-ethnic marriage. They are the founders of a growing church, The Bridge, devoted to standing for and mentoring couples of cross-cultural origin. From their own experience, Jason and Julie try to mentor these couples to fight for their marriage. The mentorship helps each couple to understand three important factors: good and bad in marriage are sometimes not absolute facts but just cultural considerations; rather than considering cross-cultural marriage a shortcoming, it can be counted as an opportunity to learn best practices from each culture; and, it is important to solve critical marital issues rather than getting frustrated about unachievable matters. (Sheik)

Reference

Arnold, H. L. (2008). Cross-Cultural Marriage Mentoring. Retrieved February 10, 2016, from Focus on The Family: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/marriage-challenges/marriage-in-the-melting-pot/cross-cultural-marriage-mentoring

Idamakanti, H. (2016, February 09). Huffpost Religion. Retrieved from Huffingtonpost: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hannah-idamakanti-/cultural-and-religious-tolerance_b_9162818.html


2. Summary

This article (Idamakanti, 2016) begins with a bi-racial girl raised by a Puerto Rican mother married to a white man. At the age of 17, the girl realized her inclination towards other ethnic men when she met with a Pakistani guy. The bond could not stand longer due to prevailed Islamophobia those days, however he impressed her with his generosity. Her next boyfriend was American when she joined American army but she was never into the relation as it was different from her nature. At last she ended up in a happy marriage with an Indian hindu guy in which they both adopted the traditions and rituals of cross. She credited the Pakistani guy who came across in her teen age for the successful marriage who made her to accept absolutely new things in life. (Fahad)

References

Idamakanti, H. (2016, February 09). Huffpost Religion. Retrieved from Huffingtonpost: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hannah-idamakanti-/cultural-and-religious-tolerance_b_9162818.html


3. Summary

In this article, the author discusses an experience of a young couple in a cross cultural relationship. The girl is from Venezuela and the boy is from India and they met in the USA. They differ in not just religions, language, and upbringing, but also in belief over existence of God. Neither of them thought about getting into a relationship, but fell out of love with their previous partners and in love with each other. They tried to keep the relationship under wraps initially, but their parents understood eventually. They faced family skepticism from each parent’s side. Parents often do not understand how to let the conversation flow with someone younger, from a totally different background, since all the stuff they would ask and talk about just doesn’t exist with this person. Once they are able to figure out topics to talk about that go much deeper than just language and religion, they start bonding. The author says that couples in intercultural relationships often need to work harder to understand and accept each other. To overcome differences they need more patience, maturity and understanding of each other, as critical issues keep rising as they move ahead. With the love, hobbies, and time they share and a persistent attitude the relationship would definitely succeed. (Snigdha)

References:

Bahrampour, Tara. (2010, February 12). She's From Venezuela. He's From India. They're In Love. Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved on 10 Feb. 2016 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/12/AR2010021202762.html


4. Summary

It has been said that lots of stable relationships have been related to interracial marriages. These relationships have reflected many factors like higher education and income and more importantly stabilized life. In contrast are the people with the same racial origin. Racial combination is another factor that can determine the level of marital stability. Moreover, marriage resiliency has turned out to be affected by racial prejudice. People who have an open minded mentality are willing to accept others and cope with life problems that they encounter in their marital life. This mentality helps them to build better relationship with their communities and overcome problems they might face personally and socially. (Mahshad Kazemzadeh)

Interracial Marriage. (2003). International Encyclopedia of Marriage and Family. Retrieved February 10, 2016 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3406900238.html


5. Summary

In this article, the author shares some things she learned from her cross-cultural marriage. She is an American and her husband comes from Ireland. The first thing the author learned is to keep culture differences in mind and try to make comprehensive arrangements in domesticity. Difference doesn’t mean awfulness. On the other hand, the different cultural background may help extend the insight for cross-cultural couples. This is the second thing the author learned from her marriage. The third thing is that everyone may experience homesickness sometimes and the spouse can do something to heal it. The last thing the author mentioned is about religion belief. She is a Christian and she learned to follow Jesus’s example. (Songjing)

Reference:

O’Neill, R. (2015, December 6). 4 things I’ve learned from my cross-cultural marriage. A Biblical Marriage. Retrieved on Feb. 8, 2016, from http://abiblicalmarriage.com/4-things-ive-learned-from-my-cross-cultural-marriage/.


6. Summary of “Cross-cultural marriage is no picnic”

In this article, the author says talks about some experiences he lives through, who has a cross-cultural relationship.

The author is a Hindu. He has a marriage with a Christian lady who come from Kenya. He says the most serious trial in their marriage is the difference between religion. He gives examples from his own family and his wife’s family. In his country, the skin problem of his wife makes lots of trouble on her, even though she is not a Hindu. The people judges her skin and their marriage again and again. In the Christianity world, although their engagement was finally supported by his father-in-law, their marriage is also facing questions from the church. However, he insisted that big romance can solve difficulties. He said, people who are in love, but from different cultures, shouldn’t be afraid of the pressure from family prejudices. Believe in love and believe in your partner. Don’t let other’s words damage your own relationship. (Yuan)

Reference

Pathak, P. (2010, January 11). Cross-cultural marriage is no picnic. Theguardian. Retrieved on Feb. 10, 2016, from http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2010/jan/11/cross-cultural-marriage-fetished