Views of Intermarried Couples: Implications for Social Work Practice.

This article examines factors associated with positive perceptions of intermarriage—defined as marriage between people of different races or ethnicities—among 287 U.S. spouses in interracial or interethnic marriages with children. Drawing on a 2022 Qualtrics survey, the study found that open communication between spouses about racial and ethnic differences, children initiating discussions about race, conscious awareness of the interracial or interethnic nature of the marriage, and perceived marital quality were significant predictors of holding a positive view of intermarriage. The research highlights the unique challenges these couples face amid rising hate crimes and societal debates on race, emphasizing implications for social work practice that include fostering open dialogue and cultural sensitivity. While demographic variables generally did not predict positivity toward intermarriage, spouses married to American Indian or Alaska Native partners reported higher positivity. The study acknowledges limitations related to sample representativeness and calls for further research on diverse family dynamics.