ABSTRACT
This chapter the sources of variation in the dating and mating experiences of women in our sample. It examines the statistical relationships between these mate choice experiences and a variety of background factors that may help explain variations in the nature of dating and mating. Individuals so favored might be expected—other things being equal—to benefit in terms of popularity in the dating stage and to be in a strong position in the “marriage market. Substantial literature suggests that in the past blacks tended to enter dating, sexual intimacy, and marriage earlier than whites and were more likely than whites to lose their virginity before marriage and experience a premarital conception or birth. ” Women with high educational aspirations may, for instance, delay romantic entanglements and may be better informed and able to avoid premarital pregnancy. The only racial difference that persists under controls is that black respondents lost their virginity earlier than white ones.
