Looking Beyond the Black Marriage Decline: Identifying What Black Males Prefer in a Wife (Mating) and Dating Partner

Literature revealed a decline among all marriages, with a noticeably higher decrease within Black populations. While research has explored contributing factors to the Black marital decline and examined mating and dating preferences among college students, few have amplified the voices of Black heterosexual cis-gender males to acknowledge what is preferred in a partner. The aims of this study were to explore Black males’ preference in a long-term and short-term partner. A total of 246 self-identified heterosexual Black males were asked to evaluate 36 characteristics/traits from the Romantic Partner Preferences Scales (RPP) and 18 additional preferences developed from the Black Scholars’ Partner Preferences items (BSPP) to comprise the mating and dating preferences of heterosexual Black males over the age of 25. Paired sample t -tests denoted greater importance was given to 43 of the 54 preference items for a long-term partner as compared to a short-term partner. Loyal, faithful, understanding, and responsible were highly valued characteristics in a long-term partner, while sex appeal, physically attractive, healthy, and sexually available were valued in a short-term partner. Honesty and stable personality were highly valued irrespective of relationship type. Black males who identified as Christian valued the domains of status and wealth, good parenting, and spiritual values regardless of relationship type. This study demonstrated Black heterosexual males preferred internal characteristics in a long-term partner. Understanding Black males’ partner preferences based on relationship types may offer insight into Black males desires despite a marital decline among the Black population.