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Published on: May 10, 2019
Internet Daters' Body Type Preferences: Race-Ethnic and Gender Differences
Carol L Glasser1, Belinda Robnett, Cynthia Feliciano
1Department of Sociology, University of California, Irvine 3151 Social Science Plaza A, Irvine, CA 92697-5100 USA.
Sex Roles
|June 23, 2009
Summary
Race and gender significantly shape body type preferences in online dating. Men and white individuals more frequently express preferences, with distinct preferences noted among racial groups regarding female body types.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Media Studies
Background:
- Online dating platforms facilitate the study of mate preferences.
- Societal ideals of body types are often influenced by media and cultural norms.
- Previous research indicates racial and ethnic differences in body image and media influence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how race-ethnicity and gender influence body type preferences among heterosexual internet dating users.
- To examine racial and ethnic variations in preferences for female body types.
- To explore the negotiation of dominant thin body ideals with cultural acceptance of larger body types.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 5,810 heterosexual internet dating profiles from a United States sample (Yahoo).
- Statistical examination of preferences for date body types based on user race-ethnicity and gender.
- Comparison of body type preferences across different racial and gender groups.
Main Results:
- Race-ethnicity and gender significantly predict body type preferences for dates.
- Men and white individuals were more likely than women and non-white individuals to express specific body type preferences.
- White males preferred thin/toned women; African-American and Latino men preferred thick/large female bodies more than white men.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest that racial and ethnic groups negotiate dominant thin body ideals with culturally influenced acceptance of larger body types.
- Non-white individuals may exhibit greater body satisfaction and less susceptibility to mainstream media's thin ideal.
- Understanding these intersecting influences is crucial for comprehending diverse mate selection criteria in online dating environments.
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