According to recent studies began by scholars on, how children of immigrants into the U.S. in recent years will date and marry, the results seem to beat the conventional wisdom of the open-minded Americanized generation. Apparently, this generation of immigrants (Hispanics and Asians) is leaning more towards getting spouses from their own ethnicities.
Looking at census data, these scholars discovered that much as interracial marriages have increased in general, over the past 20 years, the rate of Asians and Hispanics marrying interracially has dropped.
Katie Xiao, an immigrant who moved into the U.S. at 4, and who sees herself as totally Americanized seems to back this theory. Having dated men from different ethnicities, and having had subtle cultural clashes with Caucasian or Latino boyfriends that led to unhappy breakups, Katie realizes she’s more Chinese than she thought. She now wants to meet a man of Asian descent. She even spent Valentines Day at a cultural conference “Asia in a Whole New World.”
This isn’t happening to Katie alone. More 20- and 30-something individuals are being drawn to cultural events, hoping to connect with someone who understands and shares their roots. While growing up, most children of immigrants rebelled against their parents, doing all they could to fit in a new country and culture. But according to Bhavna Pandit, she now cares about this stuff and is also looking for an Indian man.
The growing number of immigrants seems to be having a profound effect on coupling. “The immigrant population fundamentally changes the pool of potential partners for Asians and Hispanics. It expands the number and reinforces the culture, which means the second generation . . . is more likely to marry people of their own ethnicity,” said Daniel T. Lichter, a sociologist at Cornell University
Having had their feet divided in both the American culture and that of their parents, the big question is: Would they be happier with someone as American as they are or a recent immigrant? Do you think mass immigration will hurt interracial dating and marriage in future?
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Comment by ren on 1 June 2009:
I find these studies shocking, based on my readings on, particularly, Asian Americans. I relate to getting tired of culture clashes with people who are not of my background, and I go through that even just with friends who are of another race than I am. But everything I’ve ever read says that “Americanized” Asians and Latinos either prefer Americanized people of their respective backgrounds or whites. If you’re an Americanized immigrant, then how can you possibly relate more to a recent immigrant than someone who grew up in the US (or wherever you’re from), particularly someone of your background? You’ve had different experiences growing up, so all that is similar about you is how you look. As far as immigrants who aren’t Americanized or you’re talking about two immigrants getting together, that makes sense.
I don’t think anything will hurt interracial marriage, except maybe a publically-known rash of divorces among those marriages (more so than other kinds) or some (better)evidence that those marriages are more harmful to kids somehow.
Comment by Mestizo White Filipino on 26 June 2009:
I’m half-White, half-Filipino and I’d actually prefer a girl who’s half-White, half-Filipino like me, for the same reasons mentioned in the above article. I’ve found that I can relate more with my own White-Filipino “kind” then I can with “pure” white or “pure” Filipino girls.
Comment by Mestizo White Filipino on 26 June 2009:
I’m half-White, half-Filipino and I’d actually prefer a girl who’s half-White, half-Filipino like me; for the same reasons mentioned in the above article. I’ve found that I can relate more with my own White-Filipino “kind” then I can with “pure” white or “pure” Filipino girls.
Comment by luch on 31 July 2009:
its great to have a partner who you can relate and have some common on culture.