INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE AND STATUS EXCHANGE: A STUDY OF PACIFIC ISLANDERS IN HAWAI‘I FROM 1983 TO 1994

Authors

Xuanning Fu, Brigham Young University–Hawai‘i

Abstract

Intermarriage is one of the most salient demographic features of Hawai‘i. Between 1983 and 1994, 46 percent of all marriages contracted in Hawai‘i were racially exogamous. This article examines socioeconomic status exchange in outgroup marriage and explores the impact this status change has had on the social well-being of four ethnic groups of Pacific Islanders (Hawaiians, part-Hawaiians, Samoans, and other Pacific Islanders). Status homogamy emerges as the most important pattern of mate selection. In a broad sense, people choose their mates on the basis of equal socioeconomic status, either within or across boundaries of race and ethnicity. Gender differences are very small, indicating that status is equally important for both men and women in choosing a marital partner. These general patterns, however, suggest that groups of very high and very low status have a restricted marriage market, and high-status individuals from the Pacific Islander groups tend to marry out, leaving future generations in a comparatively unfavorable family socioeconomic environment.

Recommended Citation

Fu, Xuanning (1999) "INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE AND STATUS EXCHANGE: A STUDY OF PACIFIC ISLANDERS IN HAWAI‘I FROM 1983 TO 1994," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 22: No. 1, Article 5.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol22/iss1/5