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Date Available
8-3-2016
Year of Publication
2016
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Family Sciences (MSFS)
College
Agriculture, Food and Environment
Department/School/Program
Family Sciences
Faculty
Dr. Claudia J. Heath
Faculty
Dr. Hyungsoo Kim
Abstract
This study explores the desire to marry, marriageable mate criteria, and marital choices/options as they pertain to college-educated, African American women within today’s society. A purposive, nationally based sample (N = 95) of never married, college-educated, African American women (i.e., 18 to 40 years of age) was gathered via an online survey accessed by an emailed link. A mixed methods approach was utilized within the survey design, followed by data analyses (i.e., frequencies, two-way analyses) interpreted through a theoretical framework of social exchange. Areas discussed include life goals of marriage, cohabitation, and career; romantic barriers; the perceived availability of marriageable men; and desired traits for a marriageable mate. Partner traits assessed ranged from being character based (e.g., respectful, spiritual, swag, never incarcerated), and were broadened to include educational, financial, and ethnic preferences for a potential partner. Findings showed that respondents possessed a strong desire to marry, the greatest hindrance to entering a relationship was the lack of mates, and many were interested in looking for a potential partner outside of their own ethnicity. Findings were not statistically significant; however, the insight gained further informs this understudied area of research while having broad socio-cultural implications for families and communities.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
http://dx.doi.org/10.13023/ETD.2016.360
Recommended Citation
Oliver, Katherine M., "College-Educated, African American Women's Marital Choices" (2016). Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences. 46.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/46
Included in
African American Studies Commons, Ethnic Studies Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Social Work Commons
