Introduction
Finding a mate to marry or live with for a while is a complex process in human development. It is a crucial moment as it has significant implications in the life of an individual. This process calls for considering several aspects of a person’s life to enhance the chances of getting an ideal partner. Different reasons exist for the genesis of various social interactions. Mate selection may also occur due to love between couples. However, other explanations are suggested for choosing a mate by couples, including race, religion, culture, personal preferences, and societal expectations (Brackett, 2016). This paper will address the factors that influence mate selection among the various social groups living in America.
Educational Background
Potential partners’ educational background is an important factor considered during mate selection for marriage in many societies. Women prefer to be married to persons with higher academic status than they have or with similar education levels. In research, undergraduate students choose to be matched with individuals with the same qualifications as them (Yu & Hertog, 2018). Females tend to be attracted to males who appear to be stronger and provide for their families and children’s needs. Furthermore, undergraduate female students are more likely to choose individuals who have graduated for marriage over those who have not graduated (Yu & Hertog, 2018). The high emphasis on educational competencies is also linked to the perceived increased salaries to cater to the marriage requirements. Therefore, educational background is a significant societal factor during mate selection.
Parental Influence
Mate selection is influenced by parental influence on the perceived familial qualities. During the ancient days, both the man and the woman would pre-arrange a marriage tie between their children. At those ages, families selected mates for their young ones to control the familial wealth. In modern societies, these interactions are due to perceived similarities that exist among the families. Similarly, parents may create a match due to closeness in their collaborations (Brackett, 2016). Parents may also choose mates for their children because they have the required qualities to be ideal for their children. First, in the Indian community, marriages are predominantly arranged by parents. Selecting the mates for their children is a way of ensuring that they respect the cultural beliefs of the Indian community. Additionally, the selection of mates in this society is based on the religion of the Indians. Intermarriages also promote effective management of the family resources through succession planning marriages. Furthermore, parents tend to select mates from their same social class and cultural backgrounds. Parents significantly influence the choice of mates for their children in current societies.
Occupational Differences
Occupational differences are another key influence in the mate selection process. Women tend to select mates who are of perceived higher economic status for long-term commitments. Individuals employed in luxurious careers usually earn adequate capital necessary for meeting the family’s daily needs. Furthermore, women tend to choose industrious, ambitious, and future-oriented individuals in their job professions. Career opportunities also provide a channel through which mates may meet. Several theories exist, outlining that mate selection is significantly enhanced when individuals engage in a mutual activity. Partners usually choose companions with similar work aspirations for marriage and long-term interactions (Yu & Hertog, 2018). Persons from certain occupations typically have a specific pre-determined manner of reactions to different events, hence fostering mates’ ease of acquiring mates. Occupational variations in societies are integral aspects of selecting marriage companions.
Bicultural Influences in Mates Selection
Different societies in the United States have varying practices concerning marriage and love. Over 50 percent of marriages in Hawaii are from intercultural interactions (Barker, 2017). Effective communications are key in ensuring an adequate understanding of the different cultural practices. Intercultural marriages between Indians and other American cultures are minimally practiced due to their parents’ great influence on mate selection. In cases where the children chose companions from other cultures, their parents’ blessings were still sought. However, in cases where it is conducted, the different community members tend to borrow each other’s cultures (Barker, 2017). These findings are similarly practiced among the Chinese populations whereby individuals fall in love with their potential mates but first seek their parent’s opinions before commencing the marriage. Differences in culture significantly affect the interpersonal interactions during mate selection for marriages.
Reflection Experience
The influence of social factors is significant in the selection of mates in my adult life. In as much as love and other physical attributes are important in selecting mates, other factors are also crucial during this process. First, I tend to choose mates due to their level of intelligence and their outlook on life. Supporting spouses do have high reasoning qualities which are effective in supporting my dreams and goals. Second, I consider the ethnicity, culture, and religion of my mates. Individuals with a common religious or cultural background will understand me better and have a high chance of being accepted by my family. I respect my personal beliefs and societal expectations during mate selection. Conducting an adequate background check of potential mates is imperative for promoting the success of the relationship.
References
Barker, G. G. (2017). Acculturation and bicultural integration in organizations: Conditions, contexts, and challenges. International Journal of Cross-Cultural Management, 17(3), 281-304. Web.
Brackett, K. P. (2016). Mate selection. Encyclopedia of Family Studies, 1-7. Web.
Yu, W. H., & Hertog, E. (2018). Family characteristics and mate selection: Evidence from computer-assisted dating in Japan. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 80(3), 589–606. Web.