k_amp_s
October 15, 2007, 9:44pm
163
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In my (mostly vicarious) experience, parents getting upset about their children dating people of other ethnicities is common in most Asian cultures, as well. (I agree with you that it’s inappropriate, too, but that doesn’t make it rare.) Many (not all) South Asian families care a lot about their children marrying other South Asians, and often religion, regional differences, and even caste can come into play. Chinese and Korean families vary a lot, too – many don’t care, and many care deeply. One of my cousins was involved with a Korean woman for three years (both in their mid-20s) and never met her parents, because the parents were so upset about the relationship. And Japanese society is famously intolerant of mixed-culture children. Another cousin of mine lived in Japan for 12 years, and had several long-term relationships with Japanse men, but ultimately concluded that none of the Japanese men in her social/professional set would consider her a potential marriage partner because she was white.
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<p>This doesnt have to do as much about race as ethnicity.</p>
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KS, there’s enough racism to go around. There are plenty of Asian parents, whether East or South, who are dismayed when their off-spring date non-Asians.
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<p>And there are plenty who are happier when their off-spring dates a white person than a Asian from a different ethnicity (or South Asian as opposed to North Asian).</p>
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the midwest is sorta racist (well, the whole country is racist, the midwest, in my experience has been more blatant with it). i’ve lived here my whole life and it is not nearly as liberal as the two coasts, so don’t be that shocked.
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<p>Often, one will find more blatant racism on the coasts. The larger nos. of minorities and thus, the perception of a threat, leads to greater racism (as opposed to ignorance).</p>