Melissa Clarke

Professor Debbie Dagher

UWRT 1102
10th February 2015

Double Entry Journal

Citation: Troy, A. B. "Interracial and Intraracial Romantic Relationships: The Search for
Differences in Satisfaction, Conflict, and Attachment Style." Journal of Social and Personal
Relationships 23.1 (2006): 65-80. Web.

Source: Quote (Page# or Paragraph #)

Responses

One common framework used to explain

interracial relationships specifically
has been caste theory, a derivative of basic
exchange theory. This theory suggests that
the individuals of the dominant
ethnicity (typically Whites in the US) trade
their ethnically based social
status for another resource (e.g., beauty or
higher education) provided by
individuals of the minority ethnicity.

This is very interesting. I have never heard of

this theory and being a part of the African
American community, I have always heard of
one side of the equation (why African
American choose to date outside their race)
but I have heard of this theory to related to
the reason why whites chose to date outside
of their race. Interesting!

African Americans are believed to be at the

bottom of this U.S. hierarchical caste
system and marry Whites to escape a poor
financial and social situation, thereby
improving social mobility.

I do not agree with this statement nor do I like

how it has been worded within this article.

Furthermore, those desiring interracial

relationships do not report seeking financial
security or physical attractiveness as a relational exchange.

Now this I can agree with and relate to.

Specifically, interracial partners face

challenges not encountered by their
intraracial counterparts such as stares
from others, stereotypes and family
opposition, and mistreatment by
restaurant staff, real estate agents, retail

I do agree with this. I feel as though within

certain societies and cultures, those
individuals have not accepted interracial
relationship, especially eastern countries.
However, there has been a significant
increase of acceptance over the years.

clerks, hotel managers, and

coworkers. Partners in interracial
relationships also report receiving obscene
phone calls, hate mail, and vandalized
property, as well as experiencing
pressure not to marry from friends and
family, and when married, may find
their social networks diminish significantly.
In one of the few studies that has compared
individuals in both inter- and intraethnic
relationships, Shibazaki and Brennan (1998)
found no differences in reported relationship
satisfaction, although partners from
interracial relationships reported lower selfesteem.

On a personal note, I have had many

interracial relationships over the years and so
have my friend and family members. The
majority of my friends, family members and I
feel as though our self-esteem is much higher
within interracial relationships than intraracial
relationship.