Midlife Singles’ Willingness to Date Partners With Heterogeneous Characteristics

• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2008.00539.x
• Author: Elizabeth A. Sharp,Alan Reifman,Jacki Fitzpatrick
• Date: 01 February 2009
• Published date: 01 February 2009

JACKI FITZPATRICK,ELIZABETH A. SHARP,AND ALAN REIFMAN Texas Tech University

Midlife Singles’ Willingness to Date Partners With

Heterogeneous Characteristics

This study was a secondary data analysis of

a midlife adults’ (40 – 69 years) survey. The

sample (N¼3,501) was recruited via telephone

and completed an American Association for

Retired Persons survey via the Internet. This

study explored how sexual attitudes and demo-

graphic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, prior

marital status) were associated with willingness

to date heterogeneous partners (e.g., date part-

ners of a different race, religion, with much

less money). Results showed that never-married

singles, men, and sexually permissive individu-

als were more willing to date such partners.

Implications for research and practice are

noted.

Researchers have examined extensively individu-

als’ preferences in potential dating partners. Dat-

ing is def‌ined as leisure time spent with

a heterosexual partner to create social interactions

that are mutually enjoyable (e.g., Cooksey, Mott,

& Neubauer, 2002). Prior dating studies have

often focused on factors such as personal traits,

similarity of self/partner perceptions (Katz &

Beach, 2000), and physicalattractiveness (Greite-

meyer,2005). Much of the research addressessim-

ilarities (between individuals and hypothetical

partners),but it can be equallyvaluable to examine

differences. In light of increased multiculturalism

in the United States, some individuals might be

willing to date or be interested in dating partners

of a different race/ethnicity (Steinbugler, 2005),

religion (Hernandez & Wilson, 2007; Horowitz,

1999), or income level/social class (Greitemeyer).

Such differences ref‌lect dimensions of heteroge-

neity. There are changing social trends that could

facilitate heterogeneous dating among midlife

adults. For example, adults are living longer, so

single adults can anticipate more years to seek

dating partners. Wray (2007) noted that greater

awareness/openness toward multiculturalism

also affects the life choices of middle-aged adults.

In addition, there are declining barriers to post-

marital relationships (e.g., de Jong Gierveld,

2004), so that individuals have more freedom to

pursue diverse dating options after a prior rela-

tionship has ended.

The purpose of the present study was to exam-

ine midlife adults’ willingness to date partners

with heterogeneous (i.e., different racial, reli-

gious, or income) characteristics. Guided by

social exchange and marriage market principles,

this study examined the extent to which there

were group differences (e.g., age, gender, single-

hood type) in dating willingness. If group differ-

ences emerged, then the f‌indings would elucidate

the diversity in midlife adults’ social preferences.

An enhanced understanding of their interests

could make it easier for community professionals

to target relational programs for midlife single

adults.

Willingness To Date

‘‘Willingness’’ to date heterogeneous partners

(or heterogeneous dating) is represented by the

self-chosen likelihood or desire to date others

Human Development and Family Studies Department,

Texas Tech University, MS 1230, Lubbock, TX 79409-

1230 (Jacki.Fitzpatrick@ttu.edu).

Key Words: aging, gender differences, sexuality, single-

hood, social relations across the life course.

Family Relations 58 (February 2009): 121–133 121

A Publication of

the National Council on

Family Relations