Argus Poll: Would You Consider Being in a Relationship with Someone Who…?
Artwork: Sabrine Uddin
By THE ARGUS STAFF
Times change, and so does dating – as well as what gets in the way of it. In 1969, only about 22% of Americans approved of interracial marriage. Now 95% support it. But while race is no longer as much of a barrier when it comes to relationships, political views have become more important than ever, with large numbers of adults saying in surveys that they would not date someone who doesn’t share their politics.
We were curious what factors would get in the way of a relationship amongst teens, so we surveyed 200 Midwood students from a variety of grades and backgrounds to find out. Here’s what they told us. Feel free to share your thoughts about the results in a letter to the editor.
Percentage of students who WOULD consider being in a romantic relationship with someone…
One year older than them: 95%
Two years older than them: 82%
Outside their race / ethnicity: 78%
Outside their religion: 54%
Who came from a family with a lot more money than theirs: 94%
Who came from a family with a lot less money than theirs: 76%
Percentage of FEMALE students who WOULD consider being in a romantic relationship with someone…
One year younger than them: 55%
Two years younger than them: 11%
Who supported Democrats: 83%
Who supported Republicans: 35%
Who supported Donald Trump: 20%
Who was planning to never go to college: 31%
Percentage of MALE students who WOULD consider being in a romantic relationship with someone…
One year younger than them: 93%
Two years younger than them: 37%
Who supported Democrats: 83%
Who supported Republicans: 69%
Who supported Donald Trump: 60%
Who was planning to never go to college: 53%
Percentage of REPUBLICAN / CONSERVATIVE-leaning students who WOULD consider being in a romantic relationship with someone…
Who supported Democrats: 56%
Percentage of DEMOCRAT / PROGRESSIVE-leaning students who WOULD consider being in a romantic relationship with someone…
Who supported Republicans: 23%
SUMMARY:
While boys were mostly open to dating people across the political spectrum, including both Democrats (83%) and Republicans (69%), girls were largely unwilling to have a relationship with a Republican (35%), and even less so a Donald Trump supporter (20%).
On that note, only 23% of students who identified as progressives were willing to date a Republican, while a much higher percentage of conservatives (56%) were willing to try dating a Democrat.
Both boys and girls were overwhelmingly accepting of dating older students, but only 55% of girls would date someone who was one year younger than them, and that number dropped to 11% for potential mates who were two years younger. Boys were fine with partners who were one year younger (93%), but much more hesitant (37% said maybe) when the partner was two years younger.
Boys were also less bothered than girls by a date who was planning to never go to college. Though barely half of boys (53%) were open to that possibility, girls were even more turned off; only 31% would say yes to someone who had ruled out higher education.
And lastly, though racial and ethnic differences were not a dealbreaker for 78% of students, only 52% were fine dating outside of their religion.