High-Low Context Culture Difference as Conflict Source in East Asian-American Intermarriage & Meta-Communication as a Solution

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* High-Low Context Culture Difference as Conflict Source in East Asian-American Intermarriage & Meta-communication as a Solution

* Final Draft

* Risidaxshinni Kumarusamy

Com Arts 272

Section 306

Fall 2011

* High-Low Context Culture Difference as Conflict in East Asian-American Intermarriage & Metacommunication as a Solution

In today’s society, people form bonds with each other that cross the boundaries of culture and religion. Nowhere is this more prominent than in the US, which true to its name as a ‘melting pot’ is home to a vast number of diverse cultures. Consequently, this changes the face of intimate relationships and the number of intercultural marriages are steadily rising (Frame, 2004). However, most people will agree that merging one’s life with another’s involves conflict, as when two people marry they each bring their individual personalities, cultures, and experiences into the union. For intercultural couples, these conflicts are unique due to the differences in their communication styles and viewpoints (Cools, 2006). This is especially true when both cultures are substantially different, such as American and East Asian cultures. Individuals in such marriages may be unaware of the influence their culture has on conflicts that arise in their marriage, and thus unresolved conflicts could potentially lead to the failure of an intercultural marriage.

Nevertheless, Renalds (2011) suggests that such couples who overcome these conflicts develop stronger marital ties and even have the ability to develop strengths that intracultural marriages cannot achieve. These findings highlight the importance of researching sources of conflict between American and East Asian couples as well as conflict resolution techniques unique to them. This will inform and benefit couples by increasing their marital satisfaction. Though previous research on intercultural marital conflict discusses general challenges such as language and...