CHILDREN OF INTERRELIGIOUS MARRIED COUPLES

Abstract

This paper has established that inter-religious marriages in Kerala are gradually eradicating barriers to traditional socio-cultural norms and, hence promoting multiculturalism. The purpose of this research is to identify the causes of interreligious marriages in the context of Kerala and to analyze the experiences of children raised in these families. Adolescents with interreligious backgrounds between the ages of 13-19 were interviewed using qualitative research methods, specifically snowball sampling to establish their views. Some of the questions that emerged focused on reasons for inter- religious marriages, the cultural belonging of children, and their socialization in the family and society. The study reveals that urbanization, education, and changing perceptions towards inter- religious marriages are the factors influencing inter-religious marriages in Kerala. These children face a process of social integration and family functioning in the context of two religious affiliations and both have positive and negative effects. The study also reveals that there is a need to increase the level of acceptance of interfaith marriages in Kerala. Some of the recommendations are to encourage cultural acceptance and support structures for such families to enhance the positive development and coping mechanisms of children in inter-religious families. If Kerala were to adopt these suggestions, it would help in creating a society that is more accepting of interreligious families and the children that they raise.