Unions between blacks and whites: England and the US compared

TLDR

Interracial marriage between blacks and native‑born whites has been a focus of theoretical study, especially concerning Black Caribbeans. The study compares the likelihood of interracial unions between blacks and native‑born whites in England and the United States using census data. Blacks are categorized into Black Caribbeans, Residual Blacks, and African Americans, and both raw percentages and covariate‑controlled parameters (age, education, city) are analyzed. Results show that blacks in Britain are significantly more likely to partner with native‑born whites than their US counterparts, supporting assimilation theory but indicating differing assimilation processes for people of African descent in the two countries. Keywords: Black Caribbeans, Interracial Intermarriage, Exogamy, Cross‑national.

Abstract

Abstract In this article, US and UK census data are used to compare the propensity for matches between blacks and native born whites in England and the US. Blacks are disaggregated into three ethnic groups: Black Caribbeans, Residual Blacks and, in the US, African Americans. The first group receives the most theoretical attention. Both raw percentages and parameters that control for several covariates - such as age, education and city of residence - are examined. The results indicate that, with or without controls and irrespective of ethnicity, blacks in Britain are significantly more likely to have a native born white partner than their US counterparts. These findings accord with assimilation theory, but the article's conclusion suggests that, in both countries, the assimilation of people of African descent operates differently from the assimilation of whites. Keywords: Black CaribbeansInterracialIntermarriageExogamyCrossnational