Hardships and Struggles of Inter-Class Marriage and Relationships

The class of people we become is shaped by the money and material things we used to have growing up. We can be either working-class, middle-class, or upper-class. Most of us begin dating and have relationships with others with similar backgrounds, income level, educational level, and occupation. But love crosses all social classes. The opportunity to meet and marry someone of a different class is more than possible.

The basis and foundation of family is marriage. Marriages between individuals of different classes may have different views regarding money management, child-rearing, careers, and leisure time. Other differences cross-class marriages may have are beliefs, values, and practices. There is one speed bump that cross-class relationships face—money. It can be a source of stress and arguments. If one has had money throughout life, they might have an “easy come-easy go” attitude towards spending and not saving. On the other hand, one who has not had money throughout life, may be uneasy with spending and not saving (Streib 2015).

Marrying a partner from another class can have positive and negative differences. Some of the negatives are each spouse has a lot of different set of friends, culture shock, and not being accepted by spouse's family. Some of the positives is lifestyle changes, more financial security, and an ability to have more resources and power to navigate day-to-day problems. Couples who learned to handle their differences were able to do so by not trying to change or judge their spouse. They saw themselves as complementing each other. Many couples saw class differences not as barriers but as qualities that brought them together. We need to examine any biased assumptions about other classes, but rather realize others from different classes with different ideas and outlooks may be a complement to us and needs to be appreciated (Streib 2018).

Many cross-class marriages have obstacles and assumptions about religion, children, gift giving, holiday celebrations, and how to spend leisure time, but the spouse’s work out their differences and continue on. Cross-class marriages, despite constant negotiations, can endure and succeed. The couples can live a real life version of “happily-ever-after” (Streib 2015).