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In the video, “doubles”, the issue of intercultural relationships has been addressed between the children of Japan and those in America, where they have a negative attitude regarding being “half”. They prefer the idea of using the term “double” instead, because it makes them feel not having been disadvantaged by the fact that, one of their parents is Japanese while the other is an American. When they consider them as double, they feel equally exposed to the heritage of Americans. Research has found that, most people at global level are of the same idea that, if people are biracial, they are more likely to lack enough exposure to the other culture, and this according to them is big disadvantage. Believe held by most people is that, children are likely to suffer confusion regarding the culture they ought to identify with and therefore, their social upbringing is not in accordance with the required standards. (Gudykunst, 1988)
Research has shown that, for several decades ago, it was considered a taboo for one to engage in intercultural marriage such as one involving a black a man getting married to a white woman or vice versa and this would lead to many stares being provoked. Even in the modern times, most communities have not completely accepted it but studies have shown that, many people in several societies have started to accept the trend towards intermarriage; a culture that is being passed to many societies. Those who consider intercultural marriages as in the play, appear to have kept aside their cultural differences and therefore managing to accept each other leading to such marriages. It is clear for any observer of the play that, the couple involved have managed to resolve their cultural differences. This has led to each spouse making a personal choice of accepting his/her spouse as a life partner. This is not in agreement with many types of research that have been conducted across the world. From the findings of the research done by Carley Dod, partners living through an intercultural marriage are expected to experience some problems related to marital adjustment. They also face problems that arise when one tries to adjust his/her cultural values so as to fit into the other culture. (Griffith, 2000)
Regarding the definition of intercultural marriage, it is characterized by the marriage taking place between two people from different races, having different cultures as well as different religious backgrounds. Research has found that, most in-laws of intercultural marriages greatly oppose the relationship that exists between both parties and sometimes the union has failed to receive blessings from them, worsening the situation. This is well illustrated in the video, “Doubles”, where one gentleman claims to have been denied acknowledgment by his white relatives and this was equally done to his mother. Regardless of the his mother having been legally married to the man while they were based in Japan, the man claims that, the grandparents used to call him a bastard and this was very annoying. The mother to the man has been shown to have given up even after trying to build a positive relationship with the in-laws. She therefore had to go back to Japan after several years. The union broke and the “double” idea failed to manifest in this particular case. It was unfortunate for the man since he was born and made to believe he belonged equally to both cultures but the society barred him from being party to cultures from both sides. His potentials regarding his double identity were never utilized because the society had put a barrier between these potentials and the man. Due to the inferiority complex imposed on him, he never recognized himself as part of the white culture. Research has shown that, the most hit victims of intercultural marriages are the children especially when they are persuaded or forced to make a decision regarding their cultural identity. This is because, most children opt to follow the culture of the mother and ignore the other. The analysis of the video reveals that, there is always a confusion regarding marital bonds that leads to family disruption, whenever cultural differences are given attention by the concerned parties such as the in-laws. Studies have also shown that, most people who enter into intercultural marriages know very well that; there might be problems regarding their cultural differences but they gather enough courage to proceed with the marriage. Research has shown that, any such union is likely to provoke problems and this is almost obvious to everyone. (Griffith, 2000)
Interracial marriages that involve various races in America being blended are characterized by a number of children having difficulty in discovering their identity. A Mexican American also told of a story regarding his mother who was a Mexican and who happened to have a difficult time with his father as a result of alcoholism. Unfortunately, because of her unfamiliarity with the country and her inability to speak the language, she remained in the marriage helplessly. This went further to affect the life of their child as he would not have identified with the heritage of the neither the father’s nor the mother’s culture. Studies have shown that, most Americans have expressed their pride and have considered themselves participants in intermarriages that they refer to as “great melting pot”. Unfortunately, homogenous marriages are still being encouraged by ethnic groupings, race, and religious backgrounds and this is to the disadvantage of intercultural and interracial marriages. When all these are taken into account, it is evident that, there are several problems associated with intercultural as well as interracial relationships and marriages. Identifying with both cultures becomes a problem for the children and this also affects the parents. This is because; the parents have a difficult time trying to help their children identify with both cultures as they grow up. (Phipps, 2004)
Challenges Facing Intercultural Relationships
Relating with people with whom you do not share the same culture has many challenges. There are new customs that exist and need to be learned together with traditions. This is an enjoyable experience with a lot of fun because; a person from different culture has so many things to be learned. There is another challenge where it can be difficult to identify likes and dislikes and stereotypes of other people from a different culture so that good relationships that last longer can be established through interaction in order to identify the inequalities that exist and how to deal with them. People who live together can understand one another and accept the contribution made by people from different cultures. Many people react when they meet people from different cultures which is very normal due to the difference between them and they are encouraged once an effort is made to bring about personal changes. (Phipps, 2004)
Many people who act as representatives of majority culture such as Christians or whites are uncertain of the manner in which they react to behaviors of other people and attitudes that differ. For example, when white people offer to assist people from different cultures, those to be assisted become angry and are suspicious. This is also evident among gay community where confusion can be reduced by understanding why minority groups behave in different ways.
Cases of discomfort arise making people fear the outcome of what they engage in because; the consequences may not be pleasing. Discomfort arises in interacting with people of different cultures from ours since we have little time with them to learn their way of life. The people who interact more with individuals from different t cultural groups can never be in their comfort zone because, shared believes and values are the one that makes people interact freely and feel comfortable in the conversation. Similar cultural background makes interaction easier because, there is clear understanding of issues that affect people in their day-to-day life and people with same culture do not label each other as homophobes or racist which is a big problem when dealing with different cultural backgrounds. (Sudweeks, 2001)
At school, many students do not understand that they are the same even if their cultural background varies. There is negative attitude towards people from different cultures leading to many problems where they can not help each other in case there is need for assistance. Students are not ready to learn about beliefs and values of other cultural backgrounds. For example, there might be discrimination and students deny that it really exists and the manner in which it is portrayed is not well known which makes them lack the knowledge of how it can affect them negatively. This makes people of one cultural background joke about another culture without considering the negative impact of such a joke on the targeted group that might feel annoyed and has a painful experience. When the one who makes a joke considers it harmless, it makes the targeted group experience denial all the time. Therefore, it is important to consider the needs of each other and put yourself into their shoes so that a better understanding can be achieved. (Segal, 1998)
The stereotypes are often involved in activities that try to challenge other people due to the differences that exist between them and the information they have concerning them. People come together and form groups with people from the same culture where they discuss matters concerning their daily to day life. This is not fair because, discrimination arises and in case there is a problem that requires people to help each other, it becomes difficult.
Peer groups become frustrated with each other due to different beliefs that make them not assist one another to solve their day-to-day problems. They fail to be committed to each other and ignore challenges that face their colleagues. The people who try to interact with those of different cultures are treated as traitors and not accepted in the community. They also believe that, the efforts they make to unite people are not appreciated by the minority groups that want to remain isolated. There is a challenging responsibility in becoming a cultural ally and discontent is experienced from different people making them be discouraged and unable to work in a better way. Cultural allay work well but receive limited rewards which are not according to the efforts made.
These challenges are not encouraging and require people to live together as brothers and sisters so that they can succeed in life. (Thorne, 2003)
References
Choquet M. and Kovess V. (1993): Suicidal Thoughts among Adolescents: An Intercultural Approach: Questa
Gudykunst W. (1988): Culture and interpersonal communication: Sage Publications
Griffith D. (2000): Process standardization across intra-and inter-cultural relationships: Journal of International Business Studies
Phipps A. (2004): Critical pedagogy: political approaches to language and intercultural communication: Oxford University Press
Sudweeks F. (2001): Culture, technology, communication: Towards an intercultural global village: Harvard University Press
Segal M. (1998): Cross-cultural psychology as a scholarly discipline: American psychologist
Thorne S. (2003): Artifacts and Cultures-of-Use in Intercultural Communication: Kramsch and Thom.
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