After some interaction, racial traits are often forgotten. The unique conflicts that interracial relationships may come across are actually, related to cultural differences. Considering that the culture in which we are brought up, conditions enormously our values and behaviors, it would seem virtually impossible for two persons from different cultures to not experience, sooner or later, some kind of singular disagreements. What to do then?
First of all, we need to adopt, what I would call the “fruit bowl” attitude: each person’s opinion is a unique fruit which, when respected, adds richness and beauty to the fruit bowl. Fighting for whose cultural stance is right or wrong is, ultimately meaningless. Each cultural stance has its own uniqueness and reasons. If well managed, interracial relationships constitute a great training of openness and mental flexibility.
Beyond cultural differences, we, human beings, share so much in common. This makes possible lasting and harmonic interracial relationships.
I would also suggest that couples can start to create their own unique culture that is not limited by their mother cultures, but a shared product of both.
More importantly, we shall explore our needs when an argument has taken place. Behind all judgments/demands/blames, there lie human beings whose needs are not fulfilled. If instead of concentrating in what the other person is doing wrong,-we seem to be experts on that- we place our attention on the specific needs that we want to fulfill in that situation, there will be many more chances of understanding and good communication.
I believe from my own personal and professional experience, that being in an interracial relationship could be a very enriching experience, as long as we cultivate a genuine open attitude.
David Blanco is a Spanish psychologist & counselor working in Shenzhen.
www.dayabindu.com.
This article was published in PRD magazine.
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