Comparative Patterns of Interracial Marriage: Structural Opportunities, Third-party Factors, and Temporal Change in Immigrant Societies

Abstract

Using census data, we compare patterns of interracial marriage in six different contexts where immigration has played a central role in population composition. We use Kalmijn’s (1998) general theoretical perspective that emphasizes how opportunity structures and third-party factors affect inter-group marriage rates. More specifically, we hypothesize that rates of intermarriage are influenced by: (1) structural opportunities as reflected by the history of inequality, segregation, and racial oppression, (2) third-party interests such as cultural and linguistic differences, and (3) societal trends that reflect choices in the formation of intimate relationships and racial equality. We use age as a surrogate for the trends over time. We first estimate log-linear models to gauge the extent of overall homogamy and race specific homogamy in each cultural setting. We then use multinomial logistic regression to evaluate age differences. Cross- cultural differences in rates of intermarriage are substantial. Intermarriage is more common in societies where structural opportunities for contact are high and third-party interests low (Hawaii and New Zealand), almost non-existent among some groups in societies where the strong inter-group tensions remain, (Xinjiang Province, China and South Africa), and intermediate in societies with moderate degrees of opportunities and third-party interests (United States and Canada). Age is generally negatively associated with intermarriage, with some interesting exceptions. Interracial marriage in general is becoming more common in the arenas we examine.

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