It seems that more and more, people are crossing racial lines to expand the dating pool. Would you ever seriously date someone of another race? Have you ever dated someone of another race and if so, what unique problems did you encounter?

I would never.

I don't have a problem with it. But the things that physically attract me to a man, tend to be caucasian traits. Not blue eyed blondes, either; ICK.

It could be a result of my upbringing. I've got the kind of parents that would always say they weren't racist, but more or less stated that if I came home with a black boyfriend they'd disown me. Yankees, to boot.

I have had a few interracial dates but no relationships. I think I'd find another religion more problematic than race.

This was one of our Friday night discussions. A B friend has been dating her WBF for 5 years, and has been hidden since the paper divorce was not yet final. The divorce is final, now the question is how to integrate. His children were never told he was dating, much less seriously dating an African American woman for 5 years. How do you just pop this up into the world of two white tween boys, who likely live in a very homogeneous town?

This conversation has evolved over the past 9 months, with no integration to date. We suggested she be introduced as a friend, among other friends, and the children be allowed to get to know her. (This was her BF's plan). She wants to be acknowledged immediately as someone special. Pop! Here's my girlfriend of 5 years boys. Tough space.

So, no matter the race, there are always issues. Thankfully, we have this place to learn and help each other. I never heard what transpired in this case.

I dated a wonderful black man for a little while after my divorce. First time for an interracial experience for me. He was a great guy, but eventually I realized that our ages(he was 27, I'm almost 45) was a big deal breaker, as well as I wasn't strong enough to withstand the social pressure that an interracial couple faces every day.

I personally don't have a problem with it and am friends with several interracial families whose children attend the same school as DD. However, I am very aware that my family would have a fit. Much of my family lives in a rural area where this is just not accepted, unlike the large city where I live.

I actually have a phone number for an attractive African-american man (I'm white) in my wallet that asked me to call him when my D is final. I've kept the number as an ego booster but I just don't think I could pursue that type of relationship, knowing that it would be plagued with family problems.

I have no problem with it. Went out on a few dates in HS with an African American.

Even though my family is from a small working class town - they'd have no issues either, as long as he was a good guy and I was happy.

Sure, I was raised really strict as far as race was concerned, and have been M'ed for 8 years with two kids in an interracial R.

Wouldn't change a thing! It's a new day and age! We're been together 14.

And we're living in south Louisiana!

My brother is in an interracial marriage. No one in my family has a problem with it. We haven't talked about this kind of thing all that much, but from what my brother has said, I gather that the problems they've run into were more about prejudice against her race than about prejudice against their marriage.

It wouldn't be an issue for me. I don't think it's an issue for many people around here - I know quite a few interracial couples, as well as a bunch of people who have adopted interracially.

I don't know too many people who would hesitate to marry someone of another religion either. Half the people in the Unitarian church around here are there because one partner was Jewish and the other Catholic.

I think that having shared traditons, values, beliefs and faith are more important than colour. In my community, it would be very possible to meet someone who appeared to be of a very different race, but has the same culture because their family has been here for 4+ generations. Traditions, values, and beliefs are often stumbling blocks in a relationship, regardless of race. It just so happens that people of a different race are more likely to come from different cultures.

Mrs. W8ing

My wife and I are an interracial couple.....and we have not had any problems with anyone. Both of our families love us both....as people and as a married couple. My wife and I were both married to individuals of our same race the first time around, and our EXs were adulterers and treated us like dirt. Race doesnt matter at all to us or our families.....your own race can treat you just as bad as any other. Its not like we are inter-species or something anyhow. Some people love their dog or cat more than another human being just because of race. How retarded is that???

Oh yeah!! The fastest growing race in the US is.........*drum roll*

..............(other) or Mixed race.

My BF and I are an interacial relationship, but we never had any problems with it, nor have those around us, probably mainly because (1)I'm asian, and he is white, which makes it less of a target then say other races; (2) We live in California, where it is quite common, especailly white guys dating or married to asian women. I do however, agree with Dr. Harley in regards to different 'culture' background, and I often hear many of those here in CA who have an interacial marriage (white men/asian women) often end up in divorce due to the different culture. However, my BF and I of 8 years don't seem to have any of that problem, probably because I was born and raised here in the US most of my life. I do have a fear about moving to another state, where this is not as common or acceptable...

I think problems tend to arise less because of one's race and more because a difference in cultural background between partners.

Does a person's race necessarily have a major impact on their cultural heritage? I'd say probably yes, but there are many more factors in society which tend to draw people together rather than apart - the schools that people of all races attend, the churches they go to, etc.

I have a personal interest in this question, but not in a positive way, I'm afraid. My ex (English, atheist) left me for a Spanish woman (Catholic, though lapsed) and I do hope that their cultural differences will tell eventually and cause problems in their relationship. I don't want him back, but I don't want them to live happily ever after, either.

BTW, her 'Spanishness' was one of her main attractions for him. He's always loved Spain. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Alph.

I think it's becoming more common place.

When I was pg, I would hear great things all the time about would beautiful the kids were going to be. So I really don't think that it matters.

I didn't go out saying oh, let me date someone of other race to rebel, it's who I fell in love with! I could have just as easily M'ed someone on my own race and been treated like [email]cr@p[/email], or beat up everyday.

It's a matter of personality...not color!

My best friend is black and he married a white woman (who had a son from a previous marriage).......the womans mother loved my fried from the first time she met him. The womans father didnt like him, because he was black. Her father didnt even attend their wedding. Fast forward 5yrs (present time).....everyone loves my friend and his wife as a couple now. They have 2 children together now, and the father adores my best friend and the kids.

The EX husband of my friends wife is a total loser.....cant keep a job, treated her like crap and all he does is sit on the couch and drink beer. Now, my best friend......has his masters degree and teaches at a college, and treats his wife like a queen. He is also a total and committed family man.

What is your opinion on interratial relationships now???

I have dated a couple Afican American men a long time ago, but wouldn't now just as a personal preference.

Didn't really have a problem with it until WBF's A. We are caucasion and OW is African American. Now I have a hard time with it but I think it is mostly a trigger. I think the hardest part to deal with is that I always thought WBF was kinda racist. Still makes racist comments even now.

I was raised in a racist family but had a reality check when I went to a predominately African American High School.

Im a black guy......lets see....Hmmmmm, thinking back a long, long way. I have dated chinese, phillapino, white, spanish (spain), hispanic, thai, puerto rican, Indian, and black women ....whew! I dont think Ive dated an eskimo though. *shrugs*

PS....my wife is Hispanic. She is my sexy lil chili pepper!

Thank you all for the replies. I'm actually neutral on the subject. It hasn't been an issue in my life until recently. I've become reaquainted with a black friend from many years ago. He is male and he is a friend but he's never been a BF.

He has come back in my life and expressed some interest. I know I could fall for him but I'm not sure that I'm up for the problems that could arise. I'd like to think that I'm the type of person that doesn't care what others think of me but maybe I'm more concerned than I realize. Living in the midst of Midwestern conservativism doesn't help. I've seen the disapproving looks of the older generation here when an interracial couple passes by.

Maybe I need to move to a more forward thinking area...