Experiences of Interracial Couples in a “Post-Racial” Society

Abstract

In spite of the perception held by some Americans that race/ethnicity no longer matters much (i.e., the United States is a “post-racial” society), racial/ethnic prejudice and discrimination continue to shape the lives of many people living in the United States. This research considers the role of race/ethnicity in contemporary U.S. society by examining the experiences of couples in interracial (and/or interethnic) marriages. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 interracial (and/or interethnic) couples to investigate their experiences in a so-called “post-racial” society. The analysis was conducted in a manner that allowed for themes to emerge from the data. Six major themes related to the experiences of interracial couples emerged from the analysis: experiences of diversity, public/private dynamics, children’s experiences with race/ethnicity, white privilege, subtleties in responses from family members, and the continuing salience of race and ethnicity. The findings from this study provide further evidence that race/ethnicity still matters in contemporary U.S. society.