Citation
Vaquera, E. & Kao, G. (2005). Private and public displays of affection among interracial and intra-racial adolescent couples. Social Science Quarterly. vol. 86 (2) pp. 484-508Abstract
This article examines variation in displays of affection between interracial and intra-racial adolescent couples. Method. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), a nationally representative sample of adolescents in the United States, we estimate hierarchical linear models to compare characteristics of interracial and intra-racial relationships among white, AfricanAmerican, Hispanic, Asian American, and Native American adolescents. In our comparisons we highlight three dimensions of relationship attributes: public display, private display, and intimate physical contact. Results. Our findings suggest that interracial couples are less likely than intra-racial couples to exhibit public and private displays of affection, but are not different from intra-racial couples in intimate displays of affection. Conclusions. Social barriers against interracial dating still exist such that even though interracial couples are similar to intra-racial couples in their levels of intimacy in private, they are less comfortable displaying their feelings in public.URL
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0038-4941.2005.00314.xReference Type
Journal ArticleJournal Title
Social Science QuarterlyAuthor(s)
Vaquera, E.Kao, G.