trends in interracial relationships

Janelle Engel
Maggie Wichman
NS Proposal

INTRO

A.) Our hypothesis is that people are instinctually inclined to choose a long term mate with cultural, economic, and racial backgrounds similar to that of their own.
B.) Our goal is to discover if this previously noted trend still continues, and if not, what has it been rivaled or replaced by and why? Also, why has same-race couples been the majority for so long? What social/political/economic benefits does a couple of this kind beget? What are the downfalls?
C.) This topic is very relevant to the readings in the course and will contribute to the course by introducing an issue that is prevalent on the Miami campus. We feel that this topic is particularly interesting because we have noticed a trend of this type on the Miami campus. Also, past studies have shown a consistent predilection toward mates with similar backgrounds by the majority of the population, however, the continuance of this has declined according to some recent studies.

RELEVANCE OF YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION

A.) There have been many studies on interracial couples. Some have studied the personal experiences of interracial couples (Rosenblatt, Karis, Powell). Others have looked at the obstacles (social, economic, religious) the individuals have had to overcome to be together (Dicks). We intend to take from all these accounts, as well as compare statistics with national bureaus and public opinion polls, in order to detect an answer to our hypothesis.
B) Our project is very relevant to the rest of the World in that it will indicate how our society feels toward interracial marriages.

MATERIALS & METHODS

A.) In order to collect data to prove or disprove our hypothesis, we plan to distribute surveys to students of Miami and also parts of Toledo and Dayton, and also include our survey on the listserv. These surveys will ask about the personal preferences of these people, enabling us to get an idea of the opinion of a conservative campus and a more diverse city. We realize that some may not want to answer these questions, either at all or truthfully. In order to encourage their cooperation, the surveys will be completely anonymous and it will be clear that the results are for statistical purposes only. In addition to a personís personal preference, we will also ask questions concerning their reactions to same-race and bi-racial couples. After we tally the results of this survey, we plan on comparing our results to those taken before, discovering whether or not our results are consistent with them. Following is a sample survey that will possibly be usedÖ

1) Sex: Male Female

2) What is your ethnic background or race? Yes No

3) Have you ever been involved in an interracial relationship? Yes No

4) If not, would you ever date a person outside of your race? Yes No

5) Would you ever marry someone outside of your race? Yes No

6) Are there only certain races that you would consider dating, and others that you would not?
Yes No

7) If so, please specify:

8) What would your reaction be if a friend or family member dated someone of another race?
No reaction Shocked Disappointed Happy

9) Do you have the same opinions as your parents on this topic? Yes No

10) Is their one particular race that you find more beautiful than others? Yes No

11) If so, please specify:

We expect to find that the results show that the trend to choose a mate from oneís own race is lessening, but is still evident in the majority of our society today. We expect to see a distinct difference between the results from the students of Miami University and those of Dayton and Toledo. We will also compare our results with those of other studies.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Becker, John T. & Stanli K. All Blood is RedÖAll Shadows are Dark!
Seven Shadows Press, 1984

Benson, Susan Ambiguous Ethnicity
Cambridge University Press, 1981

Dicks, Diane Breaking Convention with Intercultural Romances: Personal Accounts
The Crossing Press, Inc., 1993

Funderburg, Lisa Black, White, Other: Biracial Americans Talk About Race and
Identity
William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1994

Porterfield, Ernest Black and White Mixed Marriages
Nelson Hall/Chicago, 1978

Rosenblatt, Paul C.
Karis, Terri A.
Powell, Richard D. Multiracial Couples: Black and white Voices
Sage Publications, 1995

Stuart, Irving R. Interracial Marriages: Expectations and Realities
Grossman Publishers, New York, 1973

Tenzer, Lawrence R. A Completely New Look At Interracial Sexuality: Public Opinion and Select Commentaries
Scholarsí Publishing House, 1990

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