Cultural and Religious Differences • pirateranger77 • 5d ago

In a two-year relationship, they haven't met each other's families due to concerns about her dating someone of a different race. She is 21, and he is 24.

My girlfriend (21F) is about to graduate as a senior in her undergraduate studies, while I (24M) am in my first year of a master's program. We both come from the same town and high school. We’ve been together for two years, and only her two sisters know about our relationship since her family doesn’t approve of men of color. This situation has been really difficult for me. She believes that if her family finds out, they might stop supporting her financially with tuition, rent, and food, which is why she’s hesitant to tell them. I honestly think it wouldn’t be as bad as she fears, but her anxiety complicates things. I've struggled to convince her, leading to a lot of tension between us. I only learned about her family dynamics three months into our relationship, but I believed we could work through it, expecting things would get better by now. It pains me to consider giving her an ultimatum since I can see how hard this is for her. She feels torn, too. With her graduation approaching this semester, I made it clear that I won’t miss it, even if her entire family is there. I have two undergraduate degrees and am pursuing my master’s while working full-time, and I feel like I deserve to be acknowledged in our relationship. I genuinely love her and have always thought she was "the one," but this family issue and her anxiety have made it difficult to envision a future together, especially beyond her graduation. I would appreciate any advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation. I know some may suggest that I should walk away, while others might encourage me to fight for our love. I'm truly interested in hearing if anyone has faced something like this in today’s world and how it turned out. Has anyone gone through something similar?


samuelhenry • 5d ago
Have you discussed with her how much this situation affects your feelings and vision for the future together?
emilylightning • 5d ago
It’s tough when love meets family expectations. Your feelings are valid—you deserve recognition in your relationship. Open communication is crucial. Encourage her to share her fears, and remind her that it’s okay to set boundaries with her family. Perhaps suggest couple’s counseling to navigate this together. Ultimately, you both must feel secure in your relationship. Take time to reflect on what each of you truly wants, and be honest about your needs moving forward.
wraith123 • 5d ago
I'm really sorry to hear about your situation; that must be incredibly tough. It's important for both of you to communicate openly about your feelings and fears. Encourage her to find a good time to talk to her family about your relationship, but give her the space she needs while making sure to express your feelings too. Mutual support and understanding are key. You both deserve to feel valued!