Black Control of Adolescent Dating

This study uses data from a representative national sample to examine racial differences in the control of dating behavior. Controlling for social class and area of residence, the impact of age norms on dating is found to be stronger for Black adolescents, especially Black female adolescents. Strong parental control over adolescent decisions is related to later entry into the dating pattern. For our total sample, and within both Black and White subgroups, the control of dating is shown to be related to the control of various forms of deviance. This finding of greater Black control of adolescent dating, particularly among females, suggests the importance of looking at subcultural differences in the emphasis placed upon various aspects of socialization and social control. A possible interpretation is that Black parents are using the control of dating as one device for dealing with an environment that is perceived as threatening to their adolescent children.