Demographic characteristics of the black population that force departures from the dominant mate selection pattern are identified. These are as follows: (1) There are more educated black women than educated black men; (2) black women have a higher occupational status than black men; and (3) black women are much closer in income to black men than white women are to white men. The implications of these marriage market conditions for marital strain are discussed in terms of the “good provider” role and the changes in it brought about by working wives.
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