Caste and exchange theories predict that Whites who enter into interracial relationships seek to trade their racial status for relational capital (i.e., physical attractiveness, financial security). Racial minorities, on the other hand, are likely to trade such assets for higher racial status. However, previous research concerning interracial relationships has concentrated on couples who are already established; thus, the existing literature is of limited use in examining the initial decisions of individuals choosing to date interracially. In this article, content analysis of personal advertisements is reported. It was found that race is insignificant as to whether the advertisers desired or sought physical attractiveness or financial security. Increased availability, not factors predicted by caste and exchange theories, is more explanatory as to why individuals enter into interracial relationships.
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