Identity in a love marriage? Exploring the consequences of South Asian women's choice to take part in inter-racial relationships

This thesis examines the challenges faced by young South Asian Canadian women when
\nthey choose to become involved in interracial intimate relationships. A feminist intersectional
\nframework was used to analyze the ?othering? by home communities and experiences of ?insider?
\nand ?outsider? status negotiated on a regular basis by the women. Data was collected through a
\nmixed methods approach combining findings from semi-structured in-depth interviews with 10
\nSouth Asian women between the ages of 18-30 in Surrey and Vancouver, British Columbia and
\nreflexive autobiographical analysis of the study author?s own lived experience. Secondary
\nsources used to contextualize the findings include sociological and feminist literature on South
\nAsian women in Canada and multiculturalism, race and ethnic relations.
\nThe study findings indicate that South Asian women construct their own racialized and
\nbicultural identities over time and in relation to the stigmatization they experience from both
\ntheir own community and dominant Canadian society. Self-identification is complex and
\ndifficult for some women because of the interplay of the intense cultural socialization most
\nreceived at home, and the ongoing influence of Western culture as they grew up. Not all of the
\nwomen experienced the same negative consequences when involved in interracial relationships,
\nbut most showed similar emotional consequences such as distress and fear caused by familial and
\nhome community pressures to meet culturally prescribed gender role expectations and duties.
\nMost also wanted to balance both the ethnic and Canadian aspects of their lives, retaining their
\nSouth Asian heritage while adopting Westernized views on subjects such as personal happiness,
\nmarriage and independence. Multiculturalism is valued by some and seen as justification of their
\nmixed unions. Others critiqued multiculturalism, seeing it as useful or practiced only in theory.
\nFor the 10 South Asian female participants of this study, the subject of interracial
\nrelationships and its impact on young women needs more dialogue. This thesis provides a
\nbeginning point.

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