Interracial Friendships in the US: A Better Understanding of Presence and Variation

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dc.contributor.advisorEmerson, Michael
dc.contributor.committeeMemberBratter, Jenifer
dc.contributor.committeeMemberKimbro, Rachel
dc.creatorEssenburg, Laura
dc.date.accessioned2016-01-15T21:33:03Z
dc.date.available2016-01-15T21:33:03Z
dc.date.created2014-12
dc.date.issued2015-01-23
dc.date.submittedDecember 2014
dc.date.updated2016-01-15T21:33:03Z
dc.description.abstractObjective. Previous studies have examined interracial friendships, typically within educational settings, in relation to racial prejudice without taking in to account the formation of interracial friendship. I address the void in the literature regarding the presence and formation of adult interracial friendship formation using four racial hierarchy theories: bi-racial divide (White/non-White and Black/non-Black), the tri-racial divide, and the melting pot. Hypotheses regarding friendship selection and formation are derived from the four racial theories. Methods. Using the Portraits of American Life Study from 2006 (n=2610) and 2012 (n=1314), I conduct multivariate analyses to test my hypotheses. Results. Adult interracial friendships are quite rare and those that do form rarely survived during the six years period between surveys. For the brief time that adult interracial friendships are established, they often develop within the tri-racial structure. Whites are the least likely to engage in interracial friendship, while racial minorities are more likely to engage in interracial friendships with Whites. Additionally, those of medium skin tone have higher proportions of interracial friendships than those of lighter or darker skin complexion. Finally, except for blacks, respondents in tracts with higher levels of racial homogeneity are less likely to name a friend of a different race. Conclusions. The decreasing and unstable nature of interracial friendship composition is problematic because it inhibits bridging capital, that is, the ability for racial equality to occur through the passing of social capital between racial groups.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.citationEssenburg, Laura. "Interracial Friendships in the US: A Better Understanding of Presence and Variation." (2015) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/87864">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/87864</a>.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/87864
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectRace
dc.subjectAdult Friendship
dc.subjectInterracial Friendship
dc.subjectRacial Divide
dc.titleInterracial Friendships in the US: A Better Understanding of Presence and Variation
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentSociology
thesis.degree.disciplineSocial Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts
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