History Of Interracial Marriage
Interracial marriage in the US has been legal since 1967. Although interracial marriages are now more widely accepted than in the past, many people may not be aware of the history of conflicts, legislation, and triumphs that brought the law to this point. Humans have been partaking in interracial relationships for thousands of years. However, these relationships have not always been accepted.
History of interracial marriage: Anti-miscegenation laws
Prior to 1967, many states had laws prohibiting interracial pairings, whether marriage or interracial intimacy. Although white and non-white people have lived among each other and engaged in interracial relationships for centuries, dating or marrying across racial boundaries was often frowned upon.
What were anti-miscegenation laws?
The first laws banning interracial marriage were instituted in the 1660s and applied to marriages between whites and enslaved people. These laws, known as anti-miscegenation laws, were not national but rather state laws that controlled how marriage worked. Often, interracial marriage was not only illegal, but a felony offense.
While anti-miscegenation laws were most commonly enforced in response to relationships between whites and people of African descent, they typically also applied to other racial groups, including Native Americans and Asian Americans.
Pastors and others with authority to perform marriage ceremonies were banned from conducting interracial marriage ceremonies. People who were in a relationship with someone of a different race, but not married, were often jailed. This was because intimacy between individuals of different races was a felony as well.
When did interracial marriages become fully legal?
While many states abolished anti-miscegenation laws after the Civil War in the late 19th and early 20th century, most Southern states still prohibited marriage between whites and other racial groups. In 1967, however, the Supreme Court ruled in Loving v. Virginia that prohibiting people from getting married, whether they are the same race or not, violates the 14th Amendment. The 14th Amendment states that all U.S. citizens have certain fundamental rights, including the right to marry. The Supreme Court found that interracial marriage laws violated the fundamental rights of individuals and ruled these laws unconstitutional.
However, the legalization of something doesn't necessarily equal acceptance. Even in the 21st century, more than 50 years after the law was passed, some Americans still hold prejudiced ideas about interracial marriage, and interracial couples may still face prejudice, racism, and hatred from their families and communities.
There are positive statistics to back up social change, however. In 1958, only 4% of Americans approved of a marriage between Black and white individuals. That number jumped to 87% in 2013. By 2021, the number had reached 94%. The same study shows that certain age groups, especially younger adults, are more likely to support interracial marriage compared to past generations. Higher levels of education were also correlated with an increased level of support.
First interracial marriages
The first documented interracial marriage in North America was between Pocahontas and John Rolfe in 1614. Pocahontas was an American Indian woman and the daughter of a Powhatan chief. John Rolfe was an English tobacco farmer. However, despite widespread media coverage of this story, it may not have been a consensual or romance-based marriage.
Pocahontas and John Rolfe
Pocahontas was married to John Rolfe in return for being set free from captivity by English settlers. She had been held prisoner for over a year before the wedding with Rolfe. Rolfe used marriage as a sign of peace between the Native Americans and the English settlers.
He tried to show the world that English settlers were skilled and had "civilized" the land's Indigenous people. However, this was unsuccessful, and Pocahontas passed away soon after the marriage.
Eleanor Butler case
Laws regarding interracial relationships have dated back to colonial days. In the mid-1600s, certain colonies began to put laws in place to stop white people from marrying enslaved people.
One such case was that of Eleanor Butler, a poor servant originally from Ireland. At 16 years old, she announced her intention to marry an enslaved man named Charles, whom she loved. Because of the laws in Maryland at the time, this meant Eleanor herself would become enslaved and serve the same "master" as her husband-to-be.
Distressed by this idea, Eleanor's boss asked the colony to put a law in place banning free servants from marrying enslaved people. The law was passed, but not before Eleanor married Charles. They had several children and lived together in slavery. Later, Eleanor's grandchild successfully sued for her freedom because she descended from a white woman.
As time continued, only a few states removed laws banning interracial marriage. In 1958, twenty-four states still had strict interracial marriage laws in place.
Moses and his Cushite wife
Some may wonder what the Bible says about interracial marriage. While there isn't a specific verse that says verbatim, "interracial marriage is okay," there is an Old Testament story that may indicate support. It involves one of God's most faithful and trusted servants, Moses.
In the book of Numbers, scripture says that Moses's siblings, Miriam and Aaron, "spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman." The Cushite people were Black and from Northern Africa. In the story, God wasn't pleased with Moses' siblings. The Bible states that God punished Miriam with leprosy for her criticism of Moses' marriage, which may indicate Christian support for interracial marriages.
Loving V. Virginia
Richard Loving, a white man, and his wife Mildred were a married couple living in Virginia. The pair had married in Washington, D.C., where interracial marriage was legal. However, they were arrested upon their return to Virginia. The Lovings sued the State of Virginia, becoming plaintiffs in a lawsuit that eventually ended up in the Supreme Court.
Much confusion centered on Mrs. Loving's race, as she was often assumed to be Black. Mildred was an Indian Rappahannock woman. However, in the pre-Civil Rights era, her race prohibited her from having a white spouse. The law included Indigenous First Nations people, Asians, and anyone else classified as "colored," which was and continues to be a derogatory term.
Black Americans were also banned from marrying Indigenous people in some states, like Oklahoma and Louisiana. In Maryland, Black-American and Asian American interracial marriage was also illegal.
The Loving couple began their case by appealing the decision to the Supreme Court of Virginia. However, the law was upheld. The Lovings decided to take the topic to the US Supreme Court to continue the fight for justice.
Unanimously, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Loving couple, and the law prohibiting interracial marriage was overturned for the entire country. The interracial marriage of the Lovings would change the course of history for other interracially married couples in the US in the years to come, as well as same-sex couples. In fact, the Loving case was cited in the 2015 Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriages at the federal level.
Interracial marriage today
Since the 1960s, the number of interracial relationships and marriages in the US has continued to grow. In the 1960s, less than 3% of marriages were interracial. The American public, with the majority being white women and men, disapproved of making interracial marriage legal. Many wanted it banned altogether.
Today, at least 19% of couples are interracial, showing an upward trend in couples being able to love who they want. However, interracial couples may still experience prejudice in their social communities. The change in acceptance throughout the US was more common in Western states and less common in the South. Interracial couples who are also LGBT or disabled may experience further prejudice.
How the history of interracial marriage influenced American racial demographics
As a result of interracial marriages being legalized, the racial group demographics and ethnic profile of the US is changing as well. In the 1970s, only 1% of all children were mixed-race. In 2020, the US found that there are over 33.8 million Americans who are multiracial. Census projections suggest that white people will be a statistical minority in the country by 2045. Many Americans find this information hopeful, as marginalized communities may begin to have more of a voice in the country.
According to a Pew Research Center analysis, only 13% percent of people agreed with interracial marriage in 1987. In 2021, the acceptance rate was 94% overall, with Millennials and Generation Z being the highest supporters.
Changing opinions on interracial marriages
Older adults and generations may struggle more with the idea of legalized interracial marriages since racism was firmly ingrained in society when they were young. However, many people are changing their minds and becoming more open to the idea.
Part of the positive change in opinions may be due to interracial couples being displayed positively in the media. From Alfre Woodard and Roderick Spencer, Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault, and Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, various couples represent these types of relationships.
Another possibility in the change of opinion for some Americans could be ancestral DNA testing. 23 and Me and other genetic DNA companies offer genetic testing to show ancestral heritage. Through this testing, many Americans have found that they are mixed race or have historical connections to ethnic groups around the globe.
Current social stigmas
Even with societal improvements, social stigmas around interracial marriage may still exist today. Studies show that stigmas may be more common in southern states. Some couples report facing disownment from their families for their love.
Racism may target the children of interracial marriages, as well. Some individuals may believe interracial parents won't be able to parent their children or connect with them. This way of thinking may have come from a former Louisiana Justice of the Peace who refused to marry an interracial couple because of concerns about accepting future children.
Interracial marriage studies prove these opinions to be unfounded. Some studies suggest that kids born with diverse genetic backgrounds have advantages that other children do not have. The research suggests that genetically diverse kids have high intelligence and are often taller. They may also be physically healthier.
Overall, public opinion of interracial marriages is changing, and racism is being combatted throughout the US. A potentially helpful way to learn more about the impact of racism in the US is by researching people of color who speak publicly about their own experiences and those who have conducted scientific studies from a marginalized lens. There are numerous books, documentaries, and online posts on the topic.
If you are white, you may research ways to be an ally to racial communities. If your partner is not white, you may ask them what would help them feel safe, and what their experience of racism in your relationship has been. Open communication can be a valuable tool in bridging gaps between communities.
Marriage counseling options
Studies have shown that online therapy can help individuals and couples address various concerns arising from complex situations, including racism or prejudice. In a study published in World Psychiatry, researchers examined the effectiveness of online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as a form of psychological treatment, finding it a valuable alternative to face-to-face counseling. There is also a significant amount of research proving the efficacy of online marriage counseling.
The benefits of online therapy
Research proves that racism negatively impacts the mental health of those it is inflicted upon. Having someone to talk to may be helpful if you've experienced racism based on your marriage, race, ethnic group, or ancestral background.
With online platforms such as BetterHelp for individuals or Regain for couples, you can connect with a licensed therapist from the comfort of your home.
Takeaway
How is interracial marriage defined?
Interracial marriage is a legal marriage between people of different races or ethnic groups. It is also sometimes referred to as exogamy, intermarriage and miscegenation. The terms are sometimes also used to refer to cohabitating partners of different races. In past generations, much of the world outlawed marriage between people of different races, including the United States. Today, interracial marriage in the United States is legally protected.
When did interracial marriage become legal?
In the United States, interracial marriage became legal in 1967. The U.S. Supreme Court legalized interracial marriage following their decision in Loving v. Virginia. The case surrounded the marriage of Mildred and Richard Loving. Richard, a white man, and Mildred, a black woman, were arrested in 1958 for violating Virginia’s anti-miscegenation laws. Anti-miscegenation laws prohibit the marriage or cohabitation of two people not of the same racial group, making Richard and Mildred’s marriage illegal under state law.
The Lovings were sentenced to a year in prison for marrying each other. They appealed their conviction to the Supreme Court of Virginia, which upheld the ruling. The couple then petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard their case in June of 1967. The court subsequently overturned the Lovings’ convictions, ruling that the Virginia courts had violated the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment.
In overturning their conviction, the Supreme Court rendered anti-miscegenation laws unenforceable in all 50 states. Although laws prohibiting interracial cohabitation and marriage remained on the books in many states, couples of different races could no longer be tried and convicted of a crime for marrying or living together. In 2000, Alabama became the final state to remove anti-miscegenation language from their laws officially.
Why was interracial marriage legalized?
Marriage between people not of the same race or ethnic group was legalized in all 50 U.S. states in 1967 following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Loving v. Virginia. The court found that laws that prohibit two people of different races from marrying or cohabitating (also called anti-miscegenation laws) violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Legally, this made laws prohibiting interracial marriage in all fifty states unenforceable.
Although the court’s decision in Loving made interracial marriage legal nationwide, several states had already repealed their anti-miscegenation laws in years prior. At the time of the Loving decision, only sixteen states continued to enforce laws prohibiting interracial marriage. However, the push to repeal anti-miscegenation laws was likely based primarily on arguments of constitutionality and legal precedent rather than moral or ethical imperatives.
In 1968, one year after the Loving decision, a Gallup poll found that only 20% of United States adults approved of interracial marriage. Today, approval of interracial marriage is at an all-time high, 94%. The group most likely to disapprove is older adults. The last half-century has seen tremendous growth in accepting rights previously considered taboo, like interracial marriage. However, the disparity between interracial marriage acceptance in the 1960s compared to the 2020s underscores the long path interracially married couples had to travel, moving from legality to acceptance by society.
Can interracial marriages work?
Evidence suggests that interracial marriages experience slightly higher rates of divorce and lower marital quality than marriages between same-race partners. However, contemporary scientific investigations of interracial marriage indicate that the small difference in divorce rates is likely due to cultural group differences rather than being related to the marriage itself.
The marginal discrepancy in divorce rates between same-race and interracial marriages can likely be attributed to the additional challenges experienced by interracial couples. Interracial couples are more likely to experience stigma related to their union, potentially increasing strain on the relationship. Even today, with acceptance of interracial marriage at an all-time high, interracial couples still face discrimination and bigotry, which may also negatively impact their relationship.
Despite the adversities interracial marriages still experience, there is no evidence to suggest they are doomed to fail. As with all marriages, partners of different races who invest in their union and focus on empathetic communication, kindness, and problem-solving are probably more likely to see success in their relationship.
Which race has the highest marriage rate?
Out of all United States adults, approximately half are married. Asians have the highest marriage rate, with 61% of Asian-American adults married. They are followed by white adults, 55% of whom are married, then Hispanics at 48%, and African-Americans at 31%. The number of Asian immigrants in the United States nearly doubled between 2000 and 2020, which may explain some of the trends in Asian-American interracial marriage.
Asian-Americans are the most likely to be in an interracial union; nearly 28% of Asian Americans are married to someone of a different race. They were followed by Hispanics, nearly 26% of which are in interracial marriages. African-Americans and whites were the least likely to initiate an interracial marriage, at 17% and 9%, respectively.
What race divorces the most?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2016 American Community Survey data indicates an average divorce rate for all races of around 33%. The survey organizes race into white, African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic, and a final single category for all other races. That category may include Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, or other races.
The “all other races” category had the highest divorce rate. Members of races that are not white, African-American, Asian-American, or Hispanic had a divorce rate of around 40%. However, it is not possible to determine which race in that category divorced the most.
African-Americans had the second-highest divorce rate, at around 38%. Both black women and men divorced at around the same rate. Whites had the third-highest divorce rate, at around 35%, and Hispanics had the fourth-highest, at around 27%. White and Hispanic men and women had similar rates of divorce. The lowest divorce rate was found for Asian-Americans, who had divorce rates around 12%. An Asian woman had about a 2% lower chance of divorce than an Asian man.
What percentage of interracial marriages end in divorce?
The data describing the percentage of interracial marriages that end in divorce is multi-faceted and nuanced. Overall, couples who marry outside of their race have a slightly higher chance of divorce. A Pew Research Center study found that same-race marriages have a 31% chance of divorce, while an interracial marriage has a 41% chance of ending in divorce.
However, evidence suggests that the elevated risk of divorce in interracial marriage is not equal among all races and unions. Although some interracial marriages have a higher risk for divorce, that risk does not apply equally to all couples. The marriages most vulnerable to divorce are those between white women and non-white men, except for marriages between a white woman and a Hispanic man.
In addition, there is no reported difference in divorce rates for marriages between white men and non-white women relative to marriages between two white partners. Furthermore, marriages between white men and African-American women are significantly less likely to end in divorce than marriages between one white spouse and another.
What is the protection for American interracial marriage?
Interracial marriage first became legal throughout the entire United States in 1967. However, the legalization of interracial marriage was not due to an act of Congress or through active legislation. Interracial marriage became legal through a court decision when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Loving v. Virginia that state laws that prohibited interracial marriage were unconstitutional.
To fully ensure that interracial marriage was protected, Congress needed to pass a law codifying the legality of interracial marriage into law. That law, the Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA), was passed in 2022, nearly sixty years after the Supreme Court’s decision in Loving. The RFMA also provides some protections and provisions for same-sex marriages. Because interracial marriage is no longer a highly controversial subject, while same-sex marriage is still gaining acceptance, much of the discussion of the RFMA surrounded same-sex marriages rather than interracial ones.
The RFMA compels U.S. states to recognize the validity of same-sex and interracial marriages from other regions of the United States, such as other states or American territories. Before the RFMA, same-sex marriage was officially unrecognized by the federal government, and interracial marriages had no legal protection at the national level. In theory, without the RFMA, it would be possible to overturn Loving and allow states to ignore marriage licenses granted to interracial couples.
Which race is more single?
According to survey data gathered by the Pew Research Center, African-American adults in the United States are the most likely to be single. Pew defined “single” as those who are not married, living with a partner, or in a committed romantic relationship. The survey indicated that an average of 31% of all adults in the United States are single, regardless of race.
The research team found that 47% of African-American adults are single, significantly higher than the national average. They were followed by White adults, 28% of whom were single. Hispanic adults followed closely at 27%. Differences between age groups also played a significant role; across all races, younger adults were more likely to be single. Gender differences were also substantial; nearly 32% of women aged 18-29 were single, while 51% of their male counterparts were without a partner.
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