Legitimation techniques for intermarriage: Accounts of motives for intermarriage from U.S. servicemen and Philippine women

Abstract

Intermarriage between members of different cultures is often negatively evaluated. How do members attempt to neutralize or manage such meanings? Reported motives for intermarriage are examined as legitimations and justifications to manage this problematic. U.S. servicemen reported motives which criticized North American women and claimed that the latter compared unfavorably to their spouse's group—Filipinos. Also, cultural differences between partners were denied or minimized. Philippine women reported motives, such as, fate and economic security. In addition to examining motives as justifications for intermarriage, they are also seen as reflecting the respective culture's vocabulary of motives.