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Helping couples with cultural differences

Cultivating Cultural Competence

It’s a beautiful thing when two different cultures merge and get married. It can bring variety and enrichment to your life together. But being from two different cultural backgrounds can also pose some issues. You and your spouse might not always understand each others’ choices, or not agree with one another’s’ way of doing things. This could lead to arguments in a marriage, and make couples feel as if there is a void in their relationship.

You might even have trouble communicating your feelings.  All couples have similar issues, but for some because of cultural differences, it could be a bit harder to understand one another. You might also feel a certain amount of loyalty towards your own culture, and this could make it difficult to understand where your spouse is coming from. You could also have inlaws that might not accept your marriage, and this can really cause a lot of stress between couples.

At Couples Clinic we can help you and your partner find common ground, despite cultural differences.

What are some issues that couples with cultural differences face?

  • Struggles with families who don’t support the relationship
    This can be a difficult situation. Sometimes inlaws are upset that their children married someone from a different culture. This can cause much strain in a relationship, which can lead to arguments
  • Loss of identity
    With being married to someone of a different culture, you might wonder where you fit in and how.
  • Differences in fundamental beliefs
    This can be a major cause of tension in a marriage. You might love one another, but if your fundamental beliefs are different, then arguing can ensue.
  • Different ways of parenting
    Arguing about how to raise or discipline your children could also be a potential problem in cross-cultural families. This could lead to different views on how to raise children, which could, in turn, confuse children. Couples need to work together when it comes to raising and disciplining their kids.
  • Different ways of reacting to situations due to cultural differences.
    Perhaps something that one culture finds funny, might be offensive to someone in a different culture. This is where communication comes in handy.
  • Small daily arguments
    You might disagree on how to spend money, or even on how to do certain chores around the house.
  • Religious differences
    If your religious views are different, you could also argue. You might not know which faith to teach to your children, and this could become cause for contention.
  • Language barriers
    You might both speak a different language and this can cause frustration because of not being able to communicate.

Why see a counselor?

By seeing a counselor they will help you and your spouse work together and communicate despite your differences.

You will learn:

  • Different coping methods for cross-cultural difference
  • How to teach and pass on both cultures to your children
  • How to think in a positive way about your differences as a couple
  • How to understand, respect and compromise
  • Experience each other's cultures

Another wonderful thing that counseling will do is help you to remember why you fell in love in the first place. 

Counseling will also help you and your spouse think about these specific things:

  • How do you see your future together?
  • What do you enjoy about your relationship?
  • What good is there in your marriage?
  • How do your differences affect your relationship?

Why choose couples clinic?

Our counselors value you, your spouse and your marriage. We want to help you find the happiness that you felt at first. Our therapists will listen without judgment, bias or prejudice. We understand that every client is unique and we value you as an individual. We are here to help you live a happier and more fulfilling life together as a couple.