If you’re crazy about your partner, it’s hard to believe that people would disapprove of your relationship. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for multicultural couples to experience stigmas and even criticism. You might even experience negative remarks from the people closest to you.
It can be difficult to handle that kind of stigma. It puts a strain on your relationship, no matter how close you are, and can make it difficult to stay positive with the people in your life who seem to be against you.
Thankfully, you can do things to respond to the negative stigma about being a multicultural couple.
If you’re not sure what to say or do, let’s cover a few tips that can help you establish healthy boundaries and protect your relationship.
“It can be difficult to handle that kind of stigma. It puts a strain on your relationship, no matter how close you are, and can make it difficult to stay positive with the people in your life who seem to be against you.”
Understand People’s Intentions
Most of the time, the people in your life aren’t going to say inherently mean things about you or your relationship. However, it might come across that way.
A good rule of thumb is never to assume the worst. If someone says something hurtful, don’t automatically think they meant it as a dig or criticism. They might need more education on your union, or they might need to know why you’re crazy about your partner. Sometimes, it has nothing to do with the fact that you’re in an interracial relationship. They may just be wondering if that person is right for you.
Don’t be afraid to have conversations about your relationship if someone says something that feels hurtful. You could easily find out you misunderstood their actions or intentions, and it’s an opportunity to get on the same page.
Don’t Listen to Everyone
Unfortunately, some people don’t have good intentions regarding what they say or do.
The best thing is to “tune out” hateful comments in those cases. You might even have to remove toxic people from your life if they can’t accept or support your relationship. While it’s difficult, that kind of negativity can harm your mental health, and you don’t need to put up with it.
It’s easy to joke about not “listening to the haters,” but in this case, it’s true. Hateful people saying hurtful things about your relationship don’t need to take up space in your mind.
Don’t Shut People Out
It’s important to understand where your loved ones are coming from with their comments and attitudes. If someone is saying something hurtful, they may not understand its effect on you now, or they may be hurt, for whatever reason. They might have some misconceptions about certain cultures that need to be cleared up.
Be open to conversations, especially with people close to you. If you shut everyone out because their comments have hurt you, you’re ruining the chance to change their minds or have healthy relationships with them again.
Set Boundaries
We touched on the importance of setting boundaries, but how can you make sure you’re doing it in a healthy, effective way?
Make sure the people closest to you understand that you’re capable of making your own decisions about your relationship. If they have a problem with your partner, let them know you will support and stand up for that partner above anything else. If they want to continue to be a part of your life, they need to be supportive of your relationship.
Boundaries aren’t harsh or cruel in any way. They’re often necessary to maintain your mental health. In this case, they can be necessary to protect your relationship.
Unfortunately, far too many people still carry negative stigmas about multicultural relationships. You can do your part to change minds and attitudes. However, at the end of the day, you and your partner’s happiness and well-being should come first.
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