Interracial Dating: Understanding Differences in Date Initiation Strategies

The development of any romantic relationship begins with the date initiation. Research has shown that there are inconsistencies of strategies used to initiate dates. The current study examined date initiation strategies in the context of interracial dating, while assessing the participant’s level of social and intergroup anxiety. One hundred and eighteen male participants’ responses on dating strategy selection, social anxiety, and intergroup anxiety measures were analyzed using a between-subjects, 2 (Participant Race: Black, White) x 2 (Target Race: Black, White) multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA). It was predicted that males would choose different dating strategies when initiating a date with a same race target than with a different race target. Specifically, it was predicted that White males would employ more indirect strategies in the different race combination condition. Results revealed that there was a significant difference in dating strategy selection based on race combination condition. INTERRACIAL DATING AND DATE INITIATION 5 Interracial Dating: Understanding Differences in Date Initiation Strategies In the last few decades, the United States has experienced an increase in social interactions between people of different races. This increase in social interaction is due to the opportunities minorities now have in education, jobs, and housing. This frequent interaction has helped to create less social distance between racial groups and increase the likelihood for members of a different race to build friendships and intimate relationships (Qian, 2003; Qian & Lichter, 2011; Sporlein, Schlueter, & Tubergen, 2013). However, research has shown that while these opportunities are present, there are many factors that prevent individuals from developing an intimate relationship with someone of a different race (Harris & Kalbfleisch, 2000; Schoepflin, 2009). A few major factors that have deterred these relationships include the perceptions and attitudes society has toward interracial dating, the success of interracial couples, family and friend approval and support, and perceptions of physical attractiveness. Furthermore, when these relationships are pursued, there appears to be differences in the emotions and behaviors that occur between same race and different race social interactions (Harris & Kalbfleisch, 2000; Trawalter & Richeson, 2008). For instance, researchers have found differences in the level of anxiety individuals feel when interacting with someone of a different race (Trawalter & Richeson, 2008). Therefore, the present study sought to examine the initial social interactions that occur in the context of interracial dating. Specifically, this research focused on the selection of date initiation strategies employed by Black and White male initiators based on the race of a target partner. Additionally, the current investigation examined the role of social and intergroup anxiety as potential factors accounting for differences in date initiation strategies. INTERRACIAL DATING AND DATE INITIATION 6 Perceptions and Attitudes of Interracial Dating Although social distance between racial groups has decreased and this in turn has helped to increase the interactions of racial groups, the percentage of interracial couples has increased at an extremely slow rate (McClintock, 2010; Qian & Lichter, 2011; Sporlein, Schlueter, & Tubergen, 2013). The relatively small increase in interracial couples may be due to negative attitudes that still remain between racial groups in spite of increased interactions. Individuals having prejudicial attitudes tend to use race as the foremost means of classifying of people, and may perceive interracial relationships as shameful relative to same race relationships (Bonam & Shih, 2009). Explicit and implicit prejudices about race have created social stigma toward interracial dating and interracial couples (McConnell & Leibold, 2001; Bonam & Shih, 2009). Researchers found that the historical period in which an individual grew up could affect their view of interracial relationships. For example, Tsunokai and McGrath (2011) evaluated the social perceptions and attitudes of individuals classified as the baby boomer generation and compared these attitudes with those held by individuals born pre-baby boomer generation. Specifically, using Black and White participants over the age of forty-five, the researchers examined individuals’ willingness to cross over racial boundaries in search for love as they aged. The researchers used data from a dating website and found that majority group members (White individuals) were less likely than minority group members to date someone outside of their race. Other researchers have found younger generations to show more accepting attitudes and greater willingness to engage in intimate interracial relationships. In fact, about 90% of the younger millennial cohort (born between 1981-2000) self-report approval toward interracial dating (Poulin & Rutter, 2011). INTERRACIAL DATING AND DATE INITIATION 7 However, perceptions of interracial dating may also differ by an individual’s race, gender, and level of education. For example, the “angry black woman” stereotype is associated with Black women regarding their attitudes of interracial relationships (Childs, 2005). This stereotype portrayed in the media stems from the perception that Black women have negative attitudes about interracial dating; this is especially true when the combination of the interracial couple consists of a Black man and a White woman (Childs, 2005). A strong example of this stereotype in the media can be seen in the popular movie Save the Last Dance in which the main characters are a Black man and a White woman who attempt to have an intimate relationship and face opposition to the relationship by other Black female characters in the movie (Charter, 2001). Research using focus groups have found the belief of Black women being upset about interracial dating, stems from Black women feeling betrayed when a Black man is in a relationship with a White woman (Childs, 2005). Some Black women believe it sends the message that Black women are not equal to White women; in part, because when a Black man dates a White woman, the White woman has a higher social status (Childs, 2005). Black women then feel that they are at a disadvantage in terms of options for quality dating partners because educated Black men have chosen to date interracially. In contrast, Black men appear to share a more positive view of interracial dating. This is notably true for Black men at predominantly White universities where they are more likely to be involved in an interracial relationship due to increased dating opportunities (Schoepflin, 2009). In addition, as Black Women gain greater years of education, they become less willing to date outside of their race (Tsunokai & McGrath, 2011). This may occur given that when there are few Blacks at a university; Black female students tend to search for each other to form supportive bonds resulting in fewer opportunities to interact with people of a different race. INTERRACIAL DATING AND DATE INITIATION 8 Researchers Herman and Campbell (2011) offered a comparison of perceptions and attitudes by inquiring about individuals’ feelings on interracial dating both, globally (referring to others) and personally. Their findings revealed gender differences with regard to views of interracial dating. Their study showed that White men and women have accepting views of interracial dating globally, yet they do not express the same rate of acceptance for interracial dating personally. White women, for instance, report a personal hesitation to date or marry interracially, but have no problem with others who wish to date and marry outside of their own race. However, White men report being less personally hesitant and much more willing to date and marry interracially, as well as being accepting of others’ choice to do so. Furthermore, researchers have also investigated the perceptions and attitudes that Latino individuals have toward interracial couples, researchers have demonstrated that both Latino men and Latino women share an openness to interracial dating (Garcia, Riggio, Palavinelu, & Culpepper, 2012). Although both sexes share this openness to interracial dating, it is contingent on the racial combination of the couple. For instance, when the description contained a Latino/White couple combination, there were more positive judgments made by Latino participants than when the description contained a Latino/Black couple combination. When a Latino individual was described in a relationship with a White individual, the Latino individual in the relationship was viewed as moving up in society and making a good life for themselves. When the Latino individual was described in a relationship with a Black individual, Latino participants made more negative judgments and evaluations of the couple because the Latino individual was viewed as moving down the social ladder and therefore limiting their opportunities to have a better life (Garcia et. al, 2012). This was especially true when Latino men INTERRACIAL DATING AND DATE INITIATION 9 were evaluating a Latino woman and Black male couple because Latino men tend to feel threatened by this couple combination. The most accepting perceptions and attitudes of interracial couples come from multiracial individuals. Bonam and Shih (2009), found that multiracial individuals, compared to monoracial individuals, expressed more comfort with intimate interracial relationships. This was evidenced by multiracial individuals’ understanding of race as a social construction as opposed to a biological component (Bonam & Shih, 2009). Viewing race as a social construction implies a clear understanding that how the concept of race is formed out of the beliefs and values of society. Unlike most monoracial individuals, multiracial individuals grow up in families that model