Gender but not parental educational assortative mating is associated with mate selection preference among undergraduate students in a Nigerian university

Abstract

Assortative mating, particularly educational homogamy, significantly influences mate selection; however, the relative influence of gender and parental educational background remains under-examined in sub-Saharan African contexts. This study examined the associations between gender and parental educational assortative mating (PEAM) and mate selection preferences among 985 undergraduate students at a Nigerian university. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, parental educational background, and mate selection preferences. Separate binary logistic regression models were estimated for each mate selection criterion, adjusting for parental education and age. Strong preferences were observed for partners who are bold and confident (93%) and who dress attractively (70%); moderate preferences for religious (67%), sport-loving (65%), social (56%), and same-age (54%) partners; but low preferences for partners' (un)troublesomeness (45%), profession (44%), complexion (43%), and height (43%). Gender emerged as a consistent correlate of several mate preferences, whereas PEAM showed limited independent associations. Females were significantly more likely than males to prioritise a partner’s age (62% higher odds), height (34% higher odds), and profession (30% higher odds), but were less likely to prioritise boldness and confidence. These findings suggest that gender-related sociocultural factors may play a more salient role than parental educational matching in shaping mate preferences among this population. Interpretations are limited to the institutional context studied, and further multi-site research is recommended.