Socio-cultural factors influencing partner selection and capable of contributing to the formation of stereotypical views about representatives of different nationalities are multifaceted and connected both with historical traditions and with the economic, cultural, and social conditions of society.

Cultural Traditions and Stereotypes in Partner Choice

Socio-cultural factors influencing partner selection and capable of contributing to the formation of stereotypical views about representatives of different nationalities are multifaceted and connected both with historical traditions and with the economic, cultural, and social conditions of society.

First, traditions in choosing a marital partner play a significant role. Historically, the choice of a spouse could be determined by parental decisions, material calculations, or personal feelings. As noted in one source, “History knows different ways of choosing future spouses: by parental will, by material calculation, by various life or prestigious considerations, by chance, or by love…” (source: link txt). This approach reflects not only economic expectations – for example, the desire to avoid poverty or ensure a decent future for children, as a tenth-grade student pointed out – but also socially ingrained norms passed down from generation to generation.

Second, cultural heritage, expressed through language and national self-awareness, has a significant influence on the formation of personal preferences. In one text it is stated: “Nationality manifests itself in cultural creativity. Culture should not, of course, be identified with modern education... In language, we have an inexhaustible treasury of cultural possibilities” (source: link txt, page: 65.430). This perspective emphasizes that language and cultural traditions shape the notion of the “national soul,” which in turn may strengthen the tendency to prefer partners from one’s own cultural milieu and foster stereotypical judgments about representatives of other nationalities.

Moreover, within the context of collective coexistence of individuals from different nationalities, elements of competition and the struggle for cultural and economic leadership intensify. As noted: “The coexistence of many nations under one state roof creates between them not only relationships of solidarity, but also rivalry and competition. In this struggle, a sense of nationality is strained…” (source: link txt, page: 65.422). Such tension may lead to the formation of negative or oversimplified stereotypes regarding partners from “other” national groups.

Finally, modern realities, as reflected in the statistics on interethnic marriages, also demonstrate the influence of social norms and prejudices.

For example, the statement “Is a migrant the best suitor for a Muscovite?

In Moscow, every fourth marriage is interethnic. And in 61% of cases, Muscovites marry someone from another nation” (source: link txt, page: 362) shows how changing social and cultural conditions affect not only the choice of a partner but also perceptions of representatives of other nationalities.

Thus, personal preferences in choosing a partner are closely linked with socio-cultural attitudes, including historically developed marital traditions, economic expectations, linguistic and cultural features, as well as societal processes of competition between nations, which together can lead both to a positive reinforcement of cultural identity and to the formation of stereotypical attitudes toward representatives of other nationalities.

Supporting citation(s):
"History knows different ways of choosing future spouses: by parental will, by material calculation, by various life or prestigious considerations, by chance, or by love..." (source: link txt)
"Nationality manifests itself in cultural creativity. Culture should not, of course, be identified with modern education... In language, we have an inexhaustible treasury of cultural possibilities" (source: link txt, page: 65.430)
"The coexistence of many nations under one state roof creates between them not only relationships of solidarity, but also rivalry and competition. In this struggle, a sense of nationality is strained..." (source: link txt, page: 65.422)
"Is a migrant the best suitor for a Muscovite? In Moscow, every fourth marriage is interethnic. And in 61% of cases, Muscovites marry someone from another nation" (source: link txt, page: 362)