Abstract:
The number of inter-cultural marriages has grown significantly in the past few decades,
as have the numbers of inter-cultural couples presenting for marital and family therapy.
Current literature on inter-cultural relationships states that they are at a high risk for
failure, with higher divorce rates and lower marital satisfaction reported than for same
culture marriages. Therefore, the study sought to explore ethnic-related challenges of
couples in inter-cultural marriages in Elmina as well as strategies they employ to
manage such challenges. Four specific objectives guided this study. Phenomenological
research design was chosen as the guiding principle of this research inquiry and twenty
couples were interviewed individually using a semi-structured interview guide. The
data was transcribed and coded using QSRNVIVO 9 software. The findings revealed
that couples had common challenges such as disapproval from family and society,
language barriers, cultural barriers and parenting. Coping resources used by couples
included humour, learning about the other’s culture, support from society and family,
effective communication, personal preparation, working towards common goals, and
religion. These couples were also found to have attitudes of commitment to their
marriage and each other, and a belief that they were not that different from their
partners. Thus, the study recommended that couples in inter-cultural marriages are to
organise their response to cultural differences in a bid to increase dealing with their
framing differences, emotional maintenance, positioning in relationship to family,
community and societal context. These strategies provide a basis for interventions that
may help inter-cultural couples identify what works for them and strengthen their
relationships.
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION,
FACULTY OF SCIENCE EDUCATION, SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF
GRADUATE STUDIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD
OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY (HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION)
DEGREE
OCTOBER, 2018