In dating. Which do you feel poses more of a barrier? Race or culture/nationality? What's your preference?

Question

I'm especially interested in ladies' answers. Females [according to a Discovery Science Channel documentary on s*x and attraction] are genetically more likely to date and choose a partner within their own race and culture, while men are predisposed to just go and mate.

THOUGHT: Of course one can't generalize on nationality because there are countries who are more westernized than others. Plus the immigrants who live as Americans can't really be compared to ones living in their native country. For example I'm Puerto Rican born American citizen in Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans don't immigrate but still have to go through adaptation. I moved here 20 years ago. I consider American culture part of mine [because I live it] and celebrate both cultures.

Answer 1

I'm color blind by choice. I only see people!

Answer 2

I'm American.

I think that here, we spend so much time focusing really on subculture rather than culture, explaining our own ethnicities and nationalities like "Oh, I'm Irish" (yea....4th generation) or "I'm Mexican" (never been to Mexico) etc, which seems to be somewhat divisive IMO, though guilty of it myself.

I don't know if that is something uniquely American but I have often thought that our tendency to negate what I would call "first culture" i.e. American citizenship, custom, speech, and focus on "second culture" specific ancestral roots, family tradition, etc. while a facade of diversity seems to create separation.

So to answer your question, as far as my "first culture" tendencies are: I am more likely to date an American mostly because of geographical convenience but also I'm not one of those women who is attracted to men with foreign accents, some are s**y don't get me wrong, but I just like American men lol.  Also I find that men from Europe, Central America, Asia etc. don't view the U.S. in a very positive light and since I love this country so much, it's hard for me to spend time with people who are negative about it.

As far as "second culture", I'm that 4th generation Irish example and have only dated one man who was of Irish ancestry.  All the others have been from various races, cultures and nationalities.  My current boyfriend is mixed Italian/European Spanish/Apache but grew up in Los Angeles and was heavily influenced by Latino culture.

Answer 3

Women are more likely to choose partners within their own race and culture because women are biologically programmed to choose mates who would offer more support for survival and procreation. Communication and understanding is more likely assumed within their own.

Men have traditionally brought their women into their lives, so her extended family and support system makes little to no difference to him, anthropologically speaking. He just wants someone with good genes who will benefit his progeny.

You will also find that the majority of women who primarily date men outside of their cultural/racial background have had fathers who abandoned them emotionally or physically at a young age.. Their biology has switched and it's telling them that the tribe has rejected them and that they should seek out a new tribe.

Answer 4

For me, it's race.  I would rather date a person of the same race and a similar ethnicity to mine, but who is from a very different culture or country, than to date someone who is of a different race but is from the same or similar culture/country.

Answer 5

I think it's race.

Because the race, you could say by looking and stereotypes are attached tio races. So i guess that's more of a barrier

My preferences would be someone other than my own nationality.

for unknown reasons

Answer 6

I am mixed race; mixed with black and white.  For me, I prefer to be with someone from the same culture as me.  I don't mind if they are of a different race.  Being that if I date a white man, then I'm still dating within my race.  As well as with a black man.  But I've dated Latin and Oriental men before.  Them all being from the same cultural background as me.  I prefer not to date someone from a different culture because I personally like the familiarity and commonality that having similar cultures brings.  

And when I say culture, I don't just mean from the same country.  I'm referring to the types and places of upbringing.  For instance, I was raised mostly in the country(rural area).  I was raised by parents who were rather strict, stable, and very hard-working people.  So I've felt most comfortable around men who have had similar upbringings.  Shared interests as well.

I'm not saying that I'm closed off to dating someone of a different culture/nationality, but the above is my preference.

Answer 7

Culture/nationality, especially in my case. My family only wants us to date and marry Jews. Meanwhile, I'm dating a Pole, and my cousin is dating a Filipino.