In-law preferences in a post-industrial society: What parents want in an in-law and how this differs from what their children want in a spouse

Across human societies parents exercise considerable influence over the mate choices of their children. Consequently, spouses are selected not only on the basis of whether they appeal to mate-seekers' preferences, but also on whether they appeal to parents' preferences. Our knowledge of in-law preferences is rather thin, however, particularly when it comes to post-industrial societies. Focusing on a Western society (Cyprus), and with the use of an open-ended instrument, this study attempts to identify the qualities that parents desire in a prospective son-in-law and daughter-in-law. It aims further to explore how parents' preferences differ from the respective preference of their children. Evidence from a sample of 211 families (321 parents and 246 children) revealed a hierarchy of 23 traits at the top of which lie personality-related traits. It was also found that in-law preferences are contingent upon the sex of the in-law, but they are independent of the sex of the parent. Finally, comparisons between parents and their children revealed disagreement between the two over a number of traits such as beauty and honesty.