Endogamy among Louisiana Cajuns: A social class explanation

This study employs 1990 U.S. Census data to examine possible sources of a high rate of endogamy among Louisiana Cajuns. It suggests that a continuing high level of in-group marriage in this ethnicity is surprising, given the group's long residence in the U.S., the ethnic diversity of southwestern Louisiana, and the group's cultural assimilation. The study uses logistic regression to examine predictors of endogamous or exogamous marriage patterns among Louisiana couples containing at least one Cajun partner. The findings suggest that ethnic endogamy is promoted in part by socioeconomic homogamy among members of this group.