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INTERRACIAL COUPLES WITHIN the SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT: EXPERIENCES, PERCEPTIONS and CHALLENGES by EMILY MAPULA MOJAPELO-BATKA Su

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INTERRACIAL COUPLES WITHIN the SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT: EXPERIENCES, PERCEPTIONS and CHALLENGES by EMILY MAPULA MOJAPELO-BATKA Su INTERRACIAL COUPLES WITHIN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT: EXPERIENCES, PERCEPTIONS AND CHALLENGES by EMILY MAPULA MOJAPELO-BATKA submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in the subject PSYCHOLOGY at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA PROMOTER: PROF FJ VAN STADEN MAY 2008 SUMMARY In this study the experiences, perceptions and challenges of being in a mixed- race relationship (M-R) were explored against the backdrop of previous South African pieces of legislation meant to keep the various race groups apart. The study was located within a conceptual framework predominantly informed by a constructivist approach, as well as some tenets from the social constructionist approach. This study focused only on M-R relationships consisting of black and white partners. The couples were recruited through the use of a snowball sampling method. In-depth interviews were used as the primary tool for collecting data. All participants were interviewed by the researcher either at their own homes or in the researcher’s office. The collected information was later transcribed and qualitatively analysed. The results of the study indicate that individuals found their involvement in M- R relationships to be a positive experience, and thus resulting in a positive attitude change and a sense of personal growth. M-R couples and their extended families experienced cognitive dissonance which required them to discard their previously internalised racial stereotypes, using strategies such as cognitive differentiation, re-categorization and de-categorization, allowing shifts toward non-racial socially constructed categories. Most of the challenges of being in M-R relationships were experienced on interpersonal and inter-group levels. The losses, disadvantages, challenges, concerns and pains experienced by M-R couples were mainly related to family and social disapproval of the relationship as well as efforts to discourage race mixing. The study concludes that the non-conformist nature of M-R relationships requires from the participants a high level of self-differentiation and individuation that challenges racial norms and cultural collectivism. Albeit being a personal or private matter, a M-R relationship carries the burden of easily being the subject of public discourse. It is in this sense that M-R ii relationships cannot be understood without taking the socio-political context within which they occur into consideration. Key terms: race, interracial relationships, social comparison, social category, social hierarchy, social identity, social contact, cognitive dissonance, racial stereotypes and attitudes, culture, tradition, love, marriage. iii Student number: 663-204-1 I declare that Interracial couples within the South African context: experiences, perceptions and challenges is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. ___________________ ___________________ SIGNATURE DATE (E. M. Mojapelo-Batka) iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My heartfelt gratitude to: • God, for His mercy and presence throughout my study. • Prof. Fred Van Staden, my promoter, colleague, mentor and friend. Thank you so much Fred for giving me the courage and excitement to continue with my study at the time when I was feeling completely lost and hopeless. You are truly a godsend! Your interest in the topic and continued guidance is greatly appreciated. • Oldrich, my husband. You always believed in me and encouraged me in so many ways, and tried to remove all the hurdles so that I could succeed. Thank you so much, Ntate! • Kagiso and Victor, my two children; who, despite being neglected during this endeavour, remained understanding. Thank you for being so proud of your mother. • My brother, Peter Mojapelo, for always believing in me and checking the progress made on the study at all times. Ke a leboga, Mohlalerwa. • My mom, for your constant care and amazing love. Ke go leboga kudu- kudu, Mmajopi. • My sisters Ruth Mojapelo and Hunadi Ncakeni, for encouraging me in your unique ways. • All my friends, for I wouldn’t have pulled through this if it wasn’t for those prayers and encouraging words. • All the people who participated in the research; thank you for allowing me into your lives and telling me your stories. • My colleagues at UNISA, more especially Prof Johan Nieuwoudt for popping in my office from time to time, giving me useful advice and recruiting some of the participants for this study. Thank you for having so much interest in my study, Johan! • David Letsoalo, for the professional editing of this work in such a critical manner that reflects a high level of interest, insight and maturity. v DEDICATION I dedicate this thesis to my first promoter, Prof Johan Schoeman, who sadly passed away on the 5th of December 2007. Thank you for always believing in me, until the last moment. The impact you had on my academic life will remain indelible. Rest in peace, Prof. Schoeman! vi TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES 1. Introduction 1 1.1 A personal note 1 1.2 An overview of the literature approaches to M-R relationships 2 1.3 Historical legal overview 7 1.3.1 The Population Registration Act, Act 30 of 1950 8 1.3.2 The Group Areas Act, Act 41 of 1950 9 1.3.3 The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act 55 of 1949 and, The Immorality Act, Act 23 0f 1957 12 1.4 Incidents and experiences of M-R couples in SA 14 1.5 Outline of the study 15 CHAPTER 2: DEFINING RELEVANT CONCEPTS 17 2.1 Introduction 17 2.2 Race 17 2.3 Ethnicity 19 2.4 Racial identity 20 2.5 Social identity 21 2.6 Social categorization 21 2.7 Social comparison and hierarchy 22 2.8 In-group and out-group prejudice and discrimination 22 2.9 Direct and indirect/subtle racial discrimination 23 vii 2. 10 Attitude change and interracial contact 23 2.11 Marriage 24 2. 12 Family 27 2. 13 Love 28 2.14 Conclusion 29 CHAPTER 3: THEORETICAL APPROACHES 30 3.1 Introduction 30 3.2 Constructivism vs. social constructionist 30 3.3 Defining constructivism 32 3.3.1 The constructivist view of identity and self definition 33 3.3.2 Constructivist’s ontology and epistemology 33 3.3.3 Limitations of a constructivist approach 34 3.4 Defining social constructionism 38 3.4.1 Social constructionist ontology and epistemology 38 3.4.2 Social constructionist view of identity and self-definition 39 3.4.3 Limitations of a social constructionist approach 41 3.5 The combination of the constructivist and social constructionist perspectives 42 3.6 Conclusion 44 CHAPTER 4: RESEARCH METHOD 45 4.1 Introduction 45 4.2 Research design 45 4.2.1 What is qualitative research? 45 4.2.2 Strengths of qualitative data 47 viii 4.3 The research participants 48 4.3.1 Inclusion criteria 48 4.4 Data collection 50 4.5 Method of data analysis 52 4.6 The trustworthiness of qualitative research 55 4.6.1 Going round the research cycle several times 56 4.6.2 Systematic use of contradiction 56 4.7 Conclusion 57 CHAPTER 5: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS 58 5.1 Introduction 58 5.2 Results: part one 58 5.2.1 Case study 1 58 5.2.1.1 The profile of the partners 58 5.2.1.2 How the relationship began 59 5.2.1.3 Clinical impressions, discussions and comments 59 5.2.2 Case study 2 60 5.2.2.1 The profile of the partners 60 5.2.2.2 How the relationship began 60 5.2.2.3 Clinical impressions, discussions and comments 61 5.2.3 Case study 3 62 5.2.3.1 The profile of the partners 62 5.2.3.2 How the relationship began 63 5.2.3.3 Clinical impressions, discussions and comments 63 5.2.4 Case study 4 63 5.2.4.1 The profile of the partners 63 5.2.4.2 How the relationship began 64 ix 5.2.4.3 Clinical impressions, discussions and comments 64 5.2.5 Case study 5 65 5.2.5.1 The profile of the partners 65 5.2.5.2 How the relationship began 66 5.2.5.3 Clinical impressions, discussions and comments 66 5.2.6 Case study 6 67 5.2.6.1 The profile of the partners 67 5.2.6.2 How the relationship began 67 5.2.6.3 Clinical impressions, discussions and comments 69 5.3 PART 2: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS 69 5.3.1 Introduction 69 5.4 Category 1: The meaning attached to the M-R relationship 70 5.4.1 Partners’ definition/description of the M-R relationship 70 5.4.1.1 Descriptions and examples 71 5.4.1.2 Integrated discussions and interpretations 73 5.4.2 Partners’ reaction to falling in love with a racially different person 75 5.4.2.1 Description and examples 75 5.4.2.2 Integrated discussions and interpretations 79 5.4.3 Partners’ description of difference within the M-R Relationship 82 5.4.3.1 Racial differences 82 5.4.3.1.1 Descriptions and examples 82 5.4.3.1.2 Integrated discussions and interpretations 84 x 5.4.3.2 Tradition and/or cultural differences 85 5.4.3.2.1 Descriptions and examples 85 5.4.3.2.2 Integrated discussions and interpretations 87 5.4.3.3 Different customary/traditional practices and rituals 89 5.4.3.3.1 Descriptions and examples 89 5.4.3.3.2 Integrated discussions and interpretations 93 5.4.3.4 Differences in the expression and/or meaning of love 95 5.4.3.4.1 Descriptions and examples 95 5.4.3.4.2 Integrated discussion and interpretations 98 5.4.3.5 Other identified differences between the M-R partners 99 5.4.3.5.1 Descriptions and examples 100 5.4.3.5.2 Integrated discussion and interpretation 101 5.4.4 The effect of the M-R relationship on partners 102 5.4.4.1 Emotional effect of the M-R relationship on partners 102 5.4.4.1.1 Descriptions and examples 102 5.4.4.1.2 Integrated discussions and interpretations 108 5.4.4.2 The effect of the past socio-political context
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