All partnerships are based on difference, including culture in the broadest sense of the word. Partnerships involving people from different ethnic, religious, social or political backgrounds are more interesting and more challenging. Healthy relationships flourish where there are spaces between you. However, cultural differences become yet another stressor in already vulnerable partnerships. Risk factors include; marriage at an early age; poor support from either family; one partner doing all the learning and adjusting; and failure to reach agreement about bringing up children form this partnership early in their lives. Ask yourself if you and your partner could rise to this challenge.