Product Description

In a world that is becoming increasingly small, where people frequently study, work, and live in cultures other than their own, it is not surprising that many people also make romantic commitments across cultural lines. This engaging anthology of literary non-fiction celebrates the creative potential of choosing diversity and explores in many voices the real-life social, cultural, and spiritual consequences of this choice. It is not a dry study that seeks to label and categorize intercultural relationships, nor is it a collection of fiction that seeks to create a dramatic backdrop for conflict or romance. These are the honest voices of women who have made commitments across national and cultural lines, who have moved toward the revitalizing and educating potential of such partnerships. The fifteen essays in this book, by women of different cultural and national backgrounds, are arranged as a narrative, with three sections reflecting the development of romantic relationships: first, courtship, commitment, and the discovery, celebration, and negotiation of differences; second, integrating marriage ceremonies, understanding and appreciating in-laws, and merging spiritual beliefs and lifestyles; and, finally, the long-term results and effects of intercultural partnerships. Intercultural couples struggle, quite often successfully, with the kinds of questions anyone who wants to live responsibly in a multicultural world must raise. They live, as we must all learn to do, in a place where multiple cultures find expression. These couples find themselves choosing not to choose between their cultures of origin; instead they move among cultures, between struggle and harmony, accepting what they can and negotiating what they cannot.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1480988 in Books
• Published on: 1995-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 238 pages

Customer Reviews

Swaying:Essays on Intercultural Love
I am so happy I found this book. If you are in an intercultural relationship, these are a wonderful compilation of stories from others who are going through or have gone through similar situations. I was laughing out loud at situations so similar to my own. It is a wide range of people and situations and just a joy to read. There defiantely aren't a lot of books on the subject, and this is a great addition to my library!

Crossing Cultures?
If you are in a cross cultural relationship, or are attracted to people who are different than you are, this is a must read book. For your effort you will have the pleasure of reading delightful and fresh accounts of a variety of relationship experiences across cultures. As someone who has read more analysis in one life time than anyone should read in a hundred, its a real treat to be shown by example what the experience is like.

Relationships require frequent communication and connection - when there are language gaps, gaps in expectations, gaps in experience, gaps in communication styles - the challenge of sustaining a fulfilling interaction is real. Go in with your eyes open, learn from the honest stories these women share.