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Title: Can Differences in Partner Availability Explain Differences in Interracial/Ethnic Matching between Same- and Different-Sex Couples?
Citation Type: Working Paper
Publication Year: 2010
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Abstract: Previous research has found that same-sex couples are more likely to be in interracial/ethnicpartnerships than are different-sex couples. Drawing on search theory, we evaluate theplausibility of a common explanation for the higher likelihood of interracial/ethnic partnershipamong same-sex couplesthat those seeking same-sex partners must widen their search becauseof the smaller pool of available partners. We use data from the 1990 and 2000 U.S. censuses andthe 2005-7 American Community Survey to compare patterns of interracial/ethnic partnershipamong same-sex male cohabiting couples, same-sex female cohabiting couples, different-sexcohabiting couples, and different-sex married couples. We present multiple pieces of evidencethat raise doubts about the availability hypothesis. Most of our measures indicate that in timesand places where the availability of same-sex partners is greater, same-sex couples are morelikely to be interracial/ethnic, a result opposite of what the availability hypothesis would predict.Our findings suggest the plausibility of other explanations for differences in interracial/ethnicmatching between same- and different-sex couples, such as differences in preferences forpartners, differences in the venues in which those seeking same- and different-sex partners meet,and differences in pressure from friends and family to form endogamous unions.
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Authors: Schwartz, Christine R.; Graf, Nikki L.
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Publication Number: 2010-07
Institution: Center for Demography and Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Publisher Location: Madison, WI
Data Collections: IPUMS USA
Topics: Family and Marriage
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