title: Ebony and Ivory? Interracial dating intentions and behaviors of disadvantaged African American women in Kentucky.
abstract: Using data from 595 predominantly disadvantaged African American women in Kentucky, this study examines perceptions about racial/ethnic partner availability, cultural mistrust, and racism as correlates of interracial dating intentions and behaviors with both white and Hispanic men. Participants reported levels of dating intentions and behaviors were significantly higher with whites than Hispanics. The multivariate models indicate less cultural mistrust and believing it is easier to find a man of that racial/ethnic category were associated with higher interracial dating intentions. Women were more likely to have dated a white man if they believed it was easier to find a white man and had interracial dating intentions; however, interracial dating intentions was the only significant correlate of having dated a Hispanic man. Findings suggest a shrinking social distance between racial groups, broadening the MMPI for African American women; yet, the low levels of interracial relationships are likely driven by preferences of men.
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky, Department of Sociology, 1515 Patterson Office Tower, Lexington, KY 40506, USA. Electronic address: david.luke@uky.edu.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Luke
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky, Department of Sociology, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, 1531 Patterson Office Tower, Lexington, KY 40506, USA. Electronic address: carrie.oser@uky.edu.
authors.forename: Carrie B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Oser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D003380:Courtship; D003469:Culture; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007629:Kentucky; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D012929:Psychological Distance; D011822:Race Relations; D044469:Racial Groups; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D035502:Trust; D044465:White People; D014930:Women
keywords: African American women; Cultural mistrust; Interracial relationships; Male Marriageable Pool Index; Perceptions about partner availability; Racism