While there have been several researches done on the theme of “family of choice”, I believe that there is a lack of enthusiasm of the scholars on the issue of interracial families. There is a gradual shift in academics where scholars are paying more attention to divorced, single parent, lesbian/gay partnerships, cohabitation, and adoption. Compared to these topics, there is a dearth of interest of scholars on interracial unions and their significance/impact on society—they are cast away as secondary concentrations. Even if there is any attention paid to it, it is greatly restricted to looking at the so-called “Black-White” couples.
Interracial families are another component of the “family of choice” framework. I would like to look at how and if there are any conflicts on the emotional work/investment in families from different races. With different cultures and backgrounds, how can the parents/partners of these interracial unions agree on how to raise their children, divide emotional/care work, and division of labor within the family? In addition, children of interracial couples tend to have a harder time in developing their self-identities. Do they choose a certain racial identity from their parents? Do they create a new self-identity? Or do they think of their identity as fluid and flexible so they can adjust it in all situations? Can this journey to self-identification affect the society? If so, how? These are some of the questions I wish to look at and hopefully provide some answers.
Interracial families are highly significant to the sociology of the family as globalization is deeply embedded in all aspects of our personal lives. How these people of different backgrounds are able to form and keep this union stable might provide an insight to dealing with the highly diversified forms of families today.
No comments:
Post a Comment