The Importance of Homogamy, Egalitarianism, and Multiculturalism in Defining Dating

Dating as a Marriage Market

Dating is seen as a marriage market where people choose the partner who best meets their needs while also determining who is better compatible with them. People in this so-called market possessed a variety of resources, and they made deals depending on these resources. It also involves evaluating the assets and liabilities of potential spouses.

Predispositions and Selection Techniques

Additionally, people are known to have predispositions that affect the type of person, cultural background, and other characteristics of potential partners before choosing a spouse. Here, homogamy, egalitarianism, and multiculturalism all coexist. The three criteria are selection techniques that assist in figuring out who a person would select as a potential romantic partner. There are significant differences between the three elements.

Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism refers to the co-existence of diverse cultures. These cultures include cultural, racial, or religious groups and are demonstrated through patterns of thinking, traditional behaviors, cultural values and assumptions, and the style of communication. In dating, this would mean that a person is open to dating in different cultural contexts.

Egalitarianism

This is the same as egalitarianism which argues that everyone is equal and has a right to equal opportunities. However, the two are different in that unlike in multiculturism, partners in egalitarian relationships have to find equality and mutual benefits for the relationship to be stable and satisfying.

Homogamy

On the other hand, homogamy refers to marrying or dating someone from the same social characteristics. These characteristics include race and ethnicity, physical appearance, social class, age, religion, and personality and values. The difference is that homogamy narrows the pool of eligible dating partners on the basis of the above characteristics, unlike the multiculturism and egalitarianism.