Marriage Across Frontiers

A European woman in the arms of a black African man: it is still such a rare sight in our streets that one cannot help noticing it and falling prey to feelings which are difficult to analysea ] But this is only a striking visual image of a far more universal and significant phenomenon: due to the 'planet-arisation' brought about by changes in our world, more and more marriages are bringing together partners from different nationalities, cultures, races and religions. These couples are certainly not without their problems: there is first of all the area of understanding between partners; but then there is the question of integration into society, acceptance by those around, the difficulties experienced by their children in finding their own identity... A study of this phenomenon in all its variety, complexity and richness has long been overdue. Augustin Barbara has filled this gap admirably having devoted many years to this work with all his experience as a sociologist and with all the human warmth which was necessary in order to seek out, meet and listed to hundreds of 'mixed' couples. His conclusions cannot leave anyone feeling indifferent to the subject, for it is in 'mixed' marriages that we see all the ingredients of human life coming together in sharp focus, and where all the tensions within a couple can be overcome. It is quite possible that this family which is 'unlike others' is also the place from which the future of mankind is to be born.