Topics of Conflict within Interethnic Couples: The Intersection of Gender and Ethnicity
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore ways in which gender, ethnicity and the interaction of gender and ethnicity impact reports of conflict for interethnic couples. This study focuses on differences in reports of conflict by examining topics of conflict including: division of household labor, children, financial management, leisure, sex, love and affection, religion, drinking, other women or men, and in-laws. Data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS- B) were used to examine the roles that gender, ethnicity and their interaction play in marital conflict within interethnic couples. The results indicated significant gender differences with men reporting more conflict about chores, money, affection, leisure, and other women and men. Significant ethnic differences were reported about sex, money, chores and affection. Findings indicate unique interactions between gender and ethnicity suggesting greater conflict about chores in Minority wife/White husband pairings and greater conflict about sex in White wife/Minority husband pairings.