History Of Interracial Marriage In South Africa

Throughout history, marriage has been one of the many binding institutions in many cultures and countries around the world. From locations such as North America, where weddings have become a symbol of status and an event to showcase extravagance rather than love, and according to recent statistics, usually end in divorce. As well as some places, such as some of the tribes within Africa, where marrying someone is an essential part of everyday survival due to the fact that these relationships are sometimes what keeps them alive. It is clear that marriage is still one of the most sought after relationships in many societies. This paper will specifically examine the marriage trends and current marriage processes within South Africa. Due to modernity

To begin, marriages between interracial couples have recently been on the rise within South Africa. According to Jacobson, Cardell, Yaw and Heaton, there are many reasons for the increase in popularity of interracial marriages within South Africa. In their article, Inter-racial Marriages in South Africa, they discuss the many reasons in which they believe this marital trend has been on the rise. To begin, Cardell, Yaw and Heaton look to assimilation, cultural, social and economic preferences as the main reasons for interracial marriage within South Africa. This is interesting because of the fact that these reasons, in a certain context, can have an affect on any relationship despite which race each of its counterparts resides or associates themselves with. Jacobson, Cardell, Yaw and Heaton also examine the barriers that legal and normative social constraints pose upon interracial couples. As mentioned above, this could also affect relationships of people who are the same colour. It is interesting to see that there is still such segregation between races. The authors mention that this stigma towards interracial marriage is more of a significant pattern in the rural parts of South Africa, compared to the urban. This article also examines the differences that

Although being single is not necessarily considered something new, it was never truly encouraged until recently which is why it is very interesting and provides a new perspective regarding ways of life and living within South Africa. Frahm-Arp’s article takes more of an anthropological perspective as she writes in a more ethnographical way, as she immersed herself into the South African Culture that these women connect themselves to in order to produce her best work. Through her studies, she has found that many South African women are having difficulties seeking and finding a suitable partner that meets their desired criteria. This is due to many of the urban pressures that South African women now have to face, thanks to things such as modernization and globalization. According to Frahm-Arp, these pressures include the desire to have sex before marriage, wedding costs, women who are focused on their career and their religiousness. These major factors are some of the reasons as to which these women have decided that being single is a better choice for them, spiritually and for their bank accounts. According to this article, one of the saving grace’s of these women has been their involvement in the church- as a few of them within South Africa preach economic and social independence. This is