Some societies, religions, and individuals strongly oppose social and sexual ethnic mixing. Some countries where war has brought soldiers from foreign lands severely reject the children who were produced because of these occupations.
But is social and sexual ethnic mixing a bad thing or a good thing? Is it a natural or unnatural behavior? Are there biological or political benefits to such mixing? Let’s explore this issue, starting with some definitions.
I prefer using the word ethnic and not race for several reasons.
- Ethnic refers to racial, cultural, religious, regional, and national differences.
- Race only refers to racial or color differences.
- The word “race” is infected with a plethora of negative connotations that many people, including myself, find offensive.
Sexual ethnic mixing occurs when two heterosexual people from two different ethnicities become romantically involved. I specify heterosexual because the biological benefits of these relationships can only come about through their children. I would imagine that there are inter-community social benefits when homosexual couples mix.
When couples from different races become sexually involved, the most significant benefit is biological. When people from different cultures, religions, or nationalities become sexually or socially involved, social and political benefits are the most significant “potential” benefits.
Ethnic mixing can have several social and political effects. The two greatest are communication and understanding. This can remove fear, which causes most social and political problems.
When couples from different ethnicities mix, their genes also mix. This can be a tremendous advantage to their children and future generations. There are genetic strengths and weaknesses within each ethnic group, particularly within each racial group.
For example, one group may be more prone to a certain disease while another has few cases of it. When this happens, the gene that prevents that particular disease is highly likely to be dominant, preventing it from being present in children.
The same genetic mixing advantages can improve and eventually eliminate a group’s tendency to have poor eyesight, high rates of certain cancers, underdeveloped intellectual or athletic abilities, or weak social skills. The advantages go on and on.
The Cheetah has the lowest genetic variation of any mammal on Earth. This puts the Cheetah at serious risk of infectious diseases and even extinction. Scientists are working to increase the Cheetah’s genetic variation.
Why do you suppose that so much romantic ethic mixing has occurred, especially in recent years now that such practices are more socially accepted? It is because we have an innate sexual attraction to people who look and act different from ourselves. This instinct is there to strengthen and protect our species. The more genetic variation there is, the stronger we become. And we are already well on our way.
Due to our ability to travel and massive immigration, geneticists believe that nearly everyone in the U.S. has at least a few genes from all the other ethnicities. So, in that sense, we are all related. We are all part of the same vast extended family. 🙂 The same may be true for other nations with insightful immigration policies.
I don’t know about you, but I see no disadvantages to ethnic mixing. There are only advantages. Mixing is good!
Many philosophers, poets, and writers have said, “Love is the answer.” So do it, think it, and say it with love!