A sociological study on identity in interpersonal relationships : the importance of both financial resourcefulness and physical beauty to a relationship’s identity among heterogeneous undergraduate couples making the transition to working life

Abstract

Mate preference research has consistently shown men value physical attractiveness in women and women value financial resources of men. This paper seeks to ascertain two factors i.) the extent both financial resourcefulness and physical beauty are important to how heterogeneous undergraduate couples who are making the transition to the working life see their relationship with each other using the sociological concept of identity; and ii.) the findings seek to try and validate sociological and psychological literature that indicate men value physical attractiveness and women financial resourcefulness. Results indicate that there is an inverse relationship pattern whereby couples tended to view physical attractiveness of their partners as significant to the relationship during courtship while downplaying the importance of financial resourcefulness. When they have been together for a significant period of time and have tendencies to settle down, perception each other’s financial resourcefulness became extremely important with physical attractiveness taking a backseat. The findings also validate past and recent research from a sociological perspective although this could be due to a self-fulfilling phenomenon of each wanting to ensure they meet their significant other’s social expectations.