The Romeo and Juliet Effect

The theory of psychological reactance states that when people lose their freedom of choice or action, they try to get it back. This apparently can have an impact on unmarried couples whose parents choose to interfere or object to their relationship. The Romeo and Juliet Effect does not apply in every case, but the adverse effect of increased feelings of "love" does happen occasionally as a reaction to its forbidden nature.
My parents once strongly objected to a relationship I was in, and I chose to ignore them, becoming very protective of the relationship. Most of my friends experienced something similar, but since then we have all pseudo conformed to their concept of appropriate.
They were more tactfull about their approach a few years earlier, when I was dating somebody of a completely different bakground. They used the oldest trick in the book, reverse psychology.
My dad broached the subject, "You've been together for two years, do you see a future with him?" I automatically reacted, "No, don't worry, no intention of marrying him!" And the most simplistic reaction followed, "Why not?"
"What do you mean why not?! he's Muslim... and Syrian... oh Lebanese educated father of mine... and raised in Saudi Arabia...?" He arched his eyebrows at me, "And all this bothers you?"
"It doesn't bother you?" I was just a little confused.
He babbled something about being a humanist, and then asked me if the whole background thing was the only issue I had with him.
Well of course, I had my 'other' reasons, I just never bothered to formulate coherent thoughts about them because I never had to. In fact all I ever had to say was 'religion', and everybody would nod in clear and unanimous agreement.
My dad caught me offguard and made me deal with all the real reasons I didn't want a future with that boy.
The boy still thinks we broke up over religion...