WHAT A TEXAS SOCIOLOGIST FOUND

Dr. George Yancy associate professor of sociology at the University of North Texas

      George Yancey, an associate professor of sociology at the University of North Texas, studies interracial dating and marriage.

      Here are some of his findings:

-- African-American parents believe it’s OK for their kids to date interracially, but are less likely to do it themselves.

-- Political liberals are more likely to date interracially than political conservatives.

-- People are more likely to date outside their race if they’ve attended integrated schools. But living in an integrated neighborhood or going to a diverse house of worship does not make interracial dating more likely.

    "African-Americans are probably more open to interracial dating than they used to be,” said Yancey, who is African American himself.

     Yancey is married to Sherelyn Whittum Yancey, who is white. The Yanceys are coeditors of the book,  “Just Don’t Marry One: Interracial Dating, Marriage, and Parenting,” (Judson Press, 2003, $18).

“Whether you decide to do it or not, it’s important to support others who do decide to interracially date,” Yancey said. “People who interracially date do it for the same reason everyone else dates: They want to find someone to either marry or at least to find someone to be a companion with.”

ASSISTANT EDITORS: Alesha Peterson, 18; and Danielle Wolowec, 18.

Copyright 2008 Y-Press