PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS IMPORTANT IN MATE PREFERENCE AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

Abstract

This study seems to suggest that, over the last ten years at least, several important changes have taken place. Students in this sample appear to be less concerned with the home and children aspects of family life and more concerned with the social aspects. They want more intelligent and better educated mates. Men are much more interested in a woman's looks than in knowing if she is a good cook and housekeeper. Chastity does not seem to be of great concern to either sex and in this sense it does appear that these students have departed from traditional values. The differences emerging in important characteristics in mate selection reflect changes in sex roles, influence by the mass media, increased idealization of romantic love, and current social and economic conditions.