ST Nov 3, 2007
Chinese least open to mixed marriage
Survey finds that race matters more in marriage, less in public sphere
By Jeremy Au Yong
MIXED-race couples may be an increasingly common sight in Singapore, but a new survey shows many are still firmly against it.
According to a study on race and religious relations released yesterday, such marriages continued to be the stickiest point for each racial group.
While nearly everyone was fine with having someone of a different race as their teacher, doctor, boss, co-worker or employee, those willing to marry outside their race were a minority.
And it was the Chinese, according to the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies survey, that were the least open to the idea.
Only 31 per cent, or fewer than one in three, said they would marry a Malay or an Indian. Also, about a quarter would mind their siblings having a Malay or Indian spouse.
Oh, look. The percentage of Chinese who would not marry a Malay or an Indian is almost exactly the same percentage of Singaporeans who do not approve of homosexuality (according to this NTU survey).
Well, interracial couples in Singapore have it lucky. The Chinese may frown on them, just as much as the general public frowns on homosexuals. But unlike the case of the homosexuals, at least no one is arguing that based on the survey, interracial marriage should be criminalised and all the relevant husbands and wives should be thrown in jail.
Duh. Sometimes the world really tires me. So much low-IQ prejudice, everywhere I look.