Many years ago interracial dating was considered taboo and when couples of different races dated it could often tear families apart. These days interracial dating isn't as taboo as it once was and it certainly isn't as uncommon. However, that doesn't mean that these couples don't have challenges to face. Not all interracial couples will have challenges and it will depend on the races involved as some cultures will resist interracial couples more than other cultures. Although there may be challenges, even relationships within the same race can face challenges.
You will find that people in the senior generation are more resistant to interracial dating than the younger generation are. Most people in the senior age group would have been raised at a time when dating someone outside of your own race was not accepted. Today there are many interracial couples and our young people are raised at a time when it is accepted to date outside of your own race.
To make an interracial relationship work you will need to have some understanding of your partner's culture and traditions. If you have both been raised in completely different cultures then you may have very different beliefs that could clash so this is something that you will need to work around.
It is best to get an idea of what your partners beliefs are before the relationship becomes too serious. If you wait until the relationship has become serious and then find that you cannot live with this person's culture then you may be heartbroken if the relationship ends over your different beliefs. Many traditions and beliefs can be worked around if you are both willing to make compromises and sometimes you might just have to agree to disagree. All relationships will have some issues that can cause problems and if there is good communication then they can be worked around.
You also need to realize that no matter how open minded you are about dating someone from another race, your family and friends may not be as open minded. So you should prepare yourself for some resistance from your family and friends. If you find that you have family or friends that don't agree with your relationship, stay strong and united and prove to them that there is no reason why you cannot be together.
Many people just don't like change or don't like something they haven't come across before. If there has never been an interracial relationship within your family then this can be a big shock to them as it is something they don't have experience with. You can educate your family by talking to them honestly and openly about your relationship and your different cultures. Let them get to know your partner and in time they may become to like your partner to the stage where they won't even notice the different race.
Because interracial relationships can have their challenges it is good if you can have some family or friends that are supportive. Sometimes it can feel like it is the two of you against the rest of the world and sometimes you just need a friendly shoulder to lean on. Spend time with those family members who understand your feelings and your relationship and give you support.
Any relationship can have challenges and the same is true for interracial relationships. Although interracial dating can have some extra challenges, don't let that stop you from dating someone from another race. You never know, the love of your life might be someone from a different race and you don't want to miss out on that perfect person for fear of the challenges that interracial dating can bring.
