The negotiations and constructions of identities among interethnic couples and their children in Singapore

Abstract

With increased integration within Singaporean society, coupled with the rise of foreigners converting to becoming citizens – until the installation of tightened immigration policies in 2010 (Lim, 2011) – interethnic marriages in Singapore have been steadily on the rise. This paper seeks to uncover the construction of identities within interethnic couples, and how they negotiate their ethnic differences to create a relationship identity that is both unique and functional. Within the scope of interethnic subjects, this paper also investigates beyond the effects of racial category impositions from the government, and attempts to uncover how married and non-married couples find common agreement – on the basis of their individual identities – in the methods of socialising their children. Paired with interviews from 25 couples – a mixed group of married couples with children, married couples without children, and non-married couples – the research and findings shed some light on interethnic relationship identity negotiation for sustaining harmonious relationships, and how it translates to the construction of identity for interethnic children.