Interethnic marriages are becoming increasingly common, and alongside this, interest in their psychological characteristics is also growing. The path to mutual understanding in such relationships is not always as simple as it may initially seem.
According to psychological observations, interethnic couples face not only everyday бытовые difficulties but also deep cultural differences that do not manifest immediately. The so-called “visible culture”—styles of clothing, food, daily habits, and behavioral norms—can cause cultural shock for a newcomer. For example, in one region of the Philippines, a foreign partner may initially be surprised by the absence of familiar cutlery and the widespread use of public transport such as tricycles and jeepneys, which can also create certain challenges on the roads.
However, more significant differences tend to emerge at the level of “internal culture”: values, beliefs, worldview, religious attitudes, patterns of thinking, and perceptions of social roles. This is where misunderstandings and conflicts most often arise. Many people find it difficult to accept what appears illogical or unfamiliar at first glance. Without a willingness to understand a partner’s behavior within the context of their cultural background, building a stable and lasting relationship becomes nearly impossible.
The psychologist emphasizes that adaptation is a two-way process. Just as the foreign partner should strive to understand the culture of their significant other, the local partner must also be open to dialogue and ready to explain their own cultural norms and expectations.
Based on consulting experience, the specialist identifies a number of typical difficulties encountered by interethnic couples:
- adaptation to food and dietary habits due to differences in cuisine;
- climate-related stress experienced by the foreign partner;
- disagreements over the distribution of household responsibilities;
- language barriers and difficulties in emotional communication;
- differing expectations regarding shared leisure time and mutual attention.
Personal participation in an intercultural psychology program (the Community Psychology course) provided the specialist with a deeper understanding of adaptation mechanisms in multicultural environments. He emphasizes that such challenges are characteristic not only of international unions but also of interethnic marriages within multicultural countries such as Russia.
The author of the article conducts volunteer counseling on the island of Bohol and actively works with individuals experiencing difficulties in intercultural adaptation. He notes that the topic of interethnic marriages requires serious attention and plans to devote an entire series of publications to it.
If you are in an interethnic relationship or are adapting to a new cultural environment and experiencing internal difficulties, timely professional support can play an important role on the path toward mutual understanding and personal resilience.