Interracial Marriages and Families

Interracial marriage is the term used to define marriage between two people of different races or ethnicities. In the United States, antimiscegenation laws outlawing interracial marriage were deemed unconstitutional in 1967 by the Supreme Court. Individuals who partner with someone outside their race and their children may have unique experiences, both positive and negative. It is important to increase awareness of these unique experiences so that clinicians may understand and serve these families better. This entry will include definitions of important terms and discuss interracial marriages, interracial families with children, the experiences of multiracial children, and important considerations for working with interracial couples and families in a counseling context.