How to Introduce Your Interracial Partner to Prejudiced Parents

Introducing a new partner to your parents is already a daunting enough task as it is. It’s even more difficult for people in interracial relationships who know that their parents might not be as accepting as they’d like.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to be happy by hiding your partner from your parents. Not only will your partner feel offended, but your parents will feel sad that they can’t share that part of their life with you.

Before you completely give up hope that your interracial relationship will be able to assimilate into your family, try these tips below to make the introduction go as well as possible.

Don’t Leave it as a Surprise
Many people make the mistake of thinking that not telling their parents about the racial difference will make it easier. This is not the case.
It can lead to angry outbursts, awkward moments, and it puts your partner in a really uncomfortable and unfair position.

It’s a much better option to make your parents familiar with the idea before you actually bring your partner over.

Talk to Them About Your Partner
Tell them all the new things you’d tell them if your partner was the same race as you are. Let them warm up to the idea of your partner by sharing positive stories. That way, when you do reveal that they are from a different race your parents will already view them in a positive light.

This will make them more likely to give your partner a chance. In the opposite example, your parents might not be open to learning anything good about your partner if the first thing they learn is their race. This will make them biased against them from the very beginning.

Once you’ve made sure they like your partner from all that you’ve told them, bring up the fact that they’re from a different race. Your parents might be surprised and even upset at first, but it’s likely that they’ll be open to meeting them.

Prepare Your Partner
If your partner doesn’t feel comfortable meeting people who might be prejudiced, don’t force the issue. It’s definitely not fair to mislead your partner and put them in a situation where they feel unwelcome without any warnings beforehand.

You should be completely open with your partner regarding the fact that your parents are prejudiced and allow them to come to terms with that.
Preparing them for this will also help them have a game plan on how to win your parents over.

Dealing With the Possibilities
Despite your best efforts, your parents may still be too close-minded to accept your interracial relationship. There’s only one thing you need to ask yourself when this happens: will you be happy in a relationship that your parents don’t approve of?

If you’re very close to your parents, this may be hard. But in certain cases, cutting toxic and prejudiced people out of your life is what is necessary to be happy in the long-term.