How to Talk with Teens About Interracial Dating
Teenage experience is often on a basic level and only beginning to mature into a less naïve form. As hormones push your teenager into adulthood, their desire to spread their social wings begins with increased interest in romantic relationships. What your teenager might not know is the world's perception expands further than the reaches of their school halls and age group. Talking to your teen about interracial dating might help give her realistic expectations of what she might encounter.
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Instructions
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Sit him down. Have an official dialogue with your teen that is set in a quite place where you can hear each other. Making the conversation formal will help you to get through to your teen by giving him adult-like respect when talking to him.
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Paint a realistic picture. Times have changed since you were a kid, and so has the acceptance of interracial dating. More than 57 percent of teens who date have done so outside of their race, and another 30 percent say they don't object to it. Try not to paint a bleak story, but one that is based on fact when talking about interracial dating.
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Tell them the pitfalls. Although times have changed, there still are challenges that face the interracial dater. Let your teen know that although interracial dating is accepted by some, it is not by all. Stiff resistance can be met when having to deal with relatives or public opinion during interracial dating.
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Open a dialogue. Let your teen ask questions about your own experiences with interracial dating or lack thereof. Your teen should be told the insides and outs about how others might perceive them. For instance, some cultures or demographics are more accepting of interracial dating, but others think that those who date outside of their race are "race-traitors" or "sellouts." Allowing your teen to ask questions will give her the information she desires on the subject and help you to build your relationship in the future.
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Discuss the positives. Even though trials still remain for interracial daters, let your teen know that everything is not all bad news. When two different people love and respect each other's cultures and backgrounds, a beautiful relationship can come of it.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are able to have your teen talk to an interracial family member or friend, it will help her learn what to expect from the experience.
Avoid ordering or demanding your child not to interracially date, as this will often lead to rebellion and push them further toward their own agenda.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo by celiece. (http://www.sxc.hu/photo/320164)
