What comes to mind when you think of the term mixed marriage? Do you automatically think black man white woman? Or do you think of someone from another country marrying an American? Or maybe two couples who have different religions?

These are the most common ones that would come to mind. However, today we have all kinds of mixed marriages including gay men/women who want kids and adopt them. Are you in a mixed marriage or thinking about it? If you are you better prepare yourself for opposition because you will encounter it.

And where does this opposition against the mixed marriage come from? Many times it comes from the least likely source you could imagine and guess who it is. Family and friends! That’s right, you will have to deal with it close to home where the heart is.

Just in case you’re shocked by their behavior keep in mind they usually come to their senses after awhile; once they figure out that their attempts to dissuade you don’t work.

The main reason they react this way is due to conditioning of society. Racism and prejudice is alive and well in main stream America. Nobody wants to admit it of course, but it’s true. How do I know? I know because I hear them when they’re having conversations with their friends or co-workers, kind of like a fly on the wall.

Not only family and friends will oppose you, but most everywhere you go it will happen. No, they don’t come right out and say it, but you know by their reaction and how they look at you. So, you may ask “What’s the big deal” or “Why are these people treating us this way?” Is it right? No, of course not. Is it fair? No way.

But it is the way it is and in time maybe things will change, but then again maybe it won’t. If you make the decision to be in a mixed marriage you need to know what you’re up against and be ready to make it work no matter what the opposition.

The best advice I can give is to ignore them and let it roll off your back. Stay committed to the relationship and focus on one another not the opposition. What they say or think doesn’t matter and if it does then you shouldn’t be in a mixed marriage.

That may sound harsh, but it’s reality. If you can’t take the heat don’t get in the fire! Marriage is supposed to be forever and forever is a long time.

Marriage isn’t easy anyway and a mixed marriage makes it even tougher. However, it’s doable if you’re both committed to it and don’t buckle under the pressure.