Strengths and Strategies in Interfaith Marriages

Keywords

Family realationships, interfaith, marriage, parenting, religion

Abstract

Despite the rising number of interfaith relationships, few empirical studies have explored the strengths of interfaith couples living in the United States who are striving to integrate separate religious beliefs. This study examined the strengths of interfaith marriages by conducting a qualitative analysis of 32 religiously diverse interfaith couples’ (N = 63 participants) reports of strengths that resulted from their relationships. We found five core themes that couples identified as strengths of being in an interfaith relationship: (a) increased acceptance and tolerance, (b) opportunities for exploration, learning, and discovery, (c) an increased ability to find and build upon similarities, (d) more traditions and practices, and (e) strengthened personal faith. The authors promote a balanced awareness of both strengths and vulnerabilities that recur in interfaith families.

Original Publication Citation

Shoaf, H. K.,Hendricks, J. J., Marks, L. D., Dollahite, D. C., Kelley, H. H., & Ward, S. G. (2022). Strengths and strategies in interfaith marriages. Marriage and Family Review. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2022.2093311

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2022-08-02

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/8670

Publisher

Taylor & Francis Group

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS