kids encyclopedia robot

Interracial marriage facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

An interracial marriage is when two people from different racial backgrounds get married. It means their families and cultures might be different, but they choose to build a life together.

What is Interracial Marriage?

An interracial marriage is a union between individuals who are considered to be of different races. This type of marriage has become more common in many parts of the world. It shows how societies are changing and becoming more diverse.

History of Interracial Marriage Laws

For a long time, in some places, it was against the law for people of different races to marry. These laws were often based on unfair ideas about race. They caused a lot of sadness and injustice.

Laws in the United States

In the United States, many states had laws against interracial marriage. These laws were called "anti-miscegenation laws." They were in place for many years. However, in 1967, a very important court case changed everything. The United States Supreme Court ruled that these laws were unconstitutional. This meant that all states had to allow people of different races to marry. This ruling was a big step towards civil rights and equality.

Laws in Other Countries

Laws against interracial marriage were not only found in the United States. Other countries also had similar rules.

Germany and Apartheid South Africa

For example, in Germany during the Nazi period, it was illegal for people of different races to marry. This was part of their unfair and harmful policies. Also, in South Africa under apartheid, strict laws separated people by race. This included laws that made interracial marriage illegal. These laws were eventually removed as the country moved towards equality.

Laws in Some Arab Countries

In some Arab countries, it can be forbidden for an Arab person to marry someone from a different race. This can be due to both laws and traditional customs. If an Arab person marries outside their race, they might lose some of their civil rights. This means they could lose certain protections or freedoms that other citizens have.

Why Interracial Marriage Matters

Today, in many countries, interracial marriage is accepted and celebrated. It shows that love can bring people together, no matter their background. It also helps to break down old ideas about race and promotes a more inclusive society.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Matrimonio interracial para niños

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Interracial marriage Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.