All too often, there is a tendency in the multiracial community to promote mixed relationships as cures for societal ills and racism,with little thought as to the practical concerns of day to day living. What holidays will you celebrate together, and how? If you choose to have children, how will they be encouraged to identify themselves ethnically?How much do you really know about the culture of your partner? The notion of helping to create a new society with less racial and cultural bias can be both appealing and a bit scary. As a couple, you are prepared to take society head-on, but what do you do when the conflict arises 'within the ranks'?

Mixed Matches, by Dr. Joel Crohn, is a thoughtful and entertaining book that engages the reader's interest from the beginning.It is especially useful in that it does not heighten the concerns for people in mixed relationships nor does it romanticize them. Instead, Dr. Crohn gives the reader tools and skills to help make their relationships work. There are examples of interfaith and intercultural conflict followed by suggestions on how to best resolve that conflict. The book is structured in a way that encourages self-exploration, to help the reader clarify what is most important to them in their own heritage. There are small charts for each partner to fill in their views on such concepts as sex roles for men and women, personal cultural identity, and even how each partner perceives time. Once the couple has done this, they have a more solid base from which to approach "hot-button" issues.

The advice given is sound for all couples, but especially for those with definite cultural differences. However, don't assume that because you and your partner share skin color that everything is automatically easier. Many of the difficulties found in interracial relationships can be found between an African and an African-American, for instance. Interfaith conflict can arise not only between, say, a Muslim and a Christian, but also between Jews who each approach their culture and their religion as separate issues. The methods described for sorting out differences are not limited by concepts of race or religion,and this universality of Mixed Matches makes this a very special and valued book in the world of multicultural relations.