The term mail order bride is commonly used to describe foreign women who seek husbands from developed countries through international marriage agencies. These women are typically younger by an average of 15 years than their prospective spouses.

In many cases, this arrangement can be compared to human trafficking. Often, the men who purchase the brides expect them to embody the ideals of Western culture.

What is a Mail Order Bride?

Women who join international marriage agencies or use dating platforms to marry a foreign man are often called mail order brides. Many of these women have experienced rejection in their home countries and look for a foreign husband to improve their lives. To connect with potential partners, they often invest in translation services, exchange emails, engage in video calls, and may even travel to meet in person.

In the US, companies that facilitate mail order bride services must make sure that the women they work with are aware of any potential risks. This means that they must provide information about the man the woman is in contact with, including any criminal convictions, restraining orders, or history of abuse or violence. Furthermore, background information about the customer must be provided, such as details about his education, occupation, financial records, and more.

A common misconception is that mail order brides are uneducated and desperate to find someone to marry. The truth is that many of these women are highly educated and searching for a committed relationship. They often have solid educational backgrounds and seek a partner who is capable of providing them financial security. Furthermore, they desire to find someone who shares similar goals and values in life.

Where do Mail Order Brides Come From?

International marriage agencies possess a large catalog of women from Eastern countries who are looking for a husband in the US or other Western countries. These women usually post their pictures, personal information, and contact information on these specialized websites. Then, the platform will match them with men who are interested in marrying foreign brides. In return for organizing the match, these marriage agencies will get a fee from both parties. These websites typically offer additional services such as video communication, instant messaging, and translation services.

Women who sign up to be mail order brides usually come from less affluent backgrounds, and are drawn to the idea of a better life they perceive in Western societies. They tend to believe that American men are more focused on family values and have a kind character, while Latin American women are passionate and vibrant, and European women are polished and sophisticated.

The modern mail-order bride industry has come under fire for its alleged involvement in human trafficking and exploitation of women for financial gain. In an effort to protect international brides, the United States passed the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA). This statute requires clients to divulge any applicable restraining orders, criminal records linked to violence, and convictions involving prostitution or drugs. This allows the bride to gauge whether the potential partner is suitable for her.

What Drives Women to Sign Up for Mail Order Brides?

Many women turn to mail-order brides out of desperation due to living in poverty or trying to escape abusive situations. These factors can leave them feeling that they have no other options and are in need of a better life.

Women who are looking for a partner can sign up with an international marriage agency. The agency will provide them with a list of potential partners who are interested in them, and provide the women with photos and biographies of these men. The agency will then contact the women to tell them about the men, such as their financial situation, job, and any previous relationships. The women can then choose to communicate with their possible partners through phone calls, emails, or instant messaging.

It’s crucial to understand that, contrary to the romanticized perception of this industry, many women involved face perilous and controlling relationships. Frequently subjected to fraudulent and coercive practices, their predicament aligns with the United Nations’ definition of trafficking. Instances of rape, abuse, and even fatalities at the hands of their new spouses have been reported. The Tahirih Justice Center is actively engaged in implementing and enforcing the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA), which mandates U.S.-based IMBs to inform potential clients about any civil protection or restraining orders, arrests or convictions linked to violence, prostitution, or drugs, and any cases of involuntary servitude, such as child brides.

Seeking a Life Partner?

There are the best countries for an American man to find a wife. Some popular choice among men:

• Ukraine – they are also known for being loyal, supportive, and family-oriented.
• Brazil – passionate, confident, and friendly.
• Thailand – their grace, beauty, and hospitality.
• Japan – often attracted to American men, and their strong English skills, friendly nature, and family-oriented values make them great partners.
• Russia – known for their beauty, intelligence, and strength.
• Cuba – strong family values, making them appealing partners for American men.
• Norway – friendly, and family-oriented.

What Drives Men to Sign Up for Mail Order Brides?

Despite the common myth that mail order brides are not intelligent women who want nothing more than money, the majority of foreign ladies that enter America on a fiancee visa do so because they are looking for true love. Many of these ladies also want to establish a career in their new home country and believe that marrying a US citizen will help them achieve this goal.

In addition, the vast number of females available on international dating websites makes it possible for men to browse many profiles until they find a lady who speaks their language and interests them. Most of the time, the initial communication with a mail order bride is done via instant messaging, email, or video chats, and if a lady is a good fit, then they can move on to real-life dates.

Some of the men who sign up for mail-order brides are blue-collar workers, while others are wealthy businessmen. However, the industry is primarily driven by the demand for wives from poor countries who are enticed by media images of Western lifestyles. This is similar to the incentives that drive people to enlist as victims of human trafficking. Sadly, the mail-order bride industry is often run by brokers who take advantage of vulnerable women, offering them false promises of happiness and riches.

How Do Mail Order Brides Find Their Matches?

Mail order brides find their matches online on dating sites and social media. Then, they spend a few months communicating with their matches until they feel comfortable enough to meet in person. Once they do, they can start planning their wedding. The process is long, but most couples are successful in finding the love of their lives.

Some people think that mail order brides are scammers, but this is not always the case. In fact, most of the time, men who sign up for mail order bride services are looking for a serious relationship. The only problem is that they may not be able to find the right woman for them. This is why it is important to use a trusted site with good customer reviews.

The reason that mail order brides are still popular is because conditions in some countries remain bleak for women, says Marcia Zug, an associate professor of law at the University of South Carolina who specializes in family law. She is currently writing a book about the history of international marriages called Buying a Bride: An Engaging History of Mail-Order Matches. She believes that as long as women have few prospects at home, they will continue to look for husbands abroad.

How Do Mail Order Brides Meet Their Matches?

Since the early twentieth century, thousands of women have advertised themselves as mail-order brides. They list their profiles in mail-order catalogs, which are mailed to men who have purchased the marriage rights to them. The women often live in countries where economic conditions are poor, and they want to marry to improve their lives.

Luckily, the way that mail-order brides meet their future husbands has evolved, and they now use online dating sites to find love. These websites match their members based on their answers to questions about themselves and their preferences. Once a match is made, they can communicate with each other through instant messages, email, video chats, or letters. Many of the women on these sites are educated and have jobs, but they are still interested in finding love and starting a family. They hope to eventually immigrate to the country of their choice with their husbands and start a new life together.

How Do Mail Order Brides Meet Their Future Husbands?

You can find numerous online sites that provide services to help those seeking a spouse. Many of these services include providing the names, pictures, and contact information of women from around the globe who are looking to tie the knot. These websites generally require a fee to access their services such as translation, emails, phone calls and even tours to meet the ladies in person.

It’s important to recognize that mail order brides are not without risk. Even though this concept has been glamorized in the media, the reality is that many of these women can be vulnerable to exploitation and even abuse by their significant others. These individuals often lack any kind of legal protection, making it difficult for the women to escape from these potentially dangerous relationships.

In the United States, legal measures exist to protect women from exploitation through marriage-related services, such as the Immigration Marriage Fraud Act and the Violence Against Women Act. These laws are designed to recognize and punish those who exploit women through international marriage brokers, and also grant women the ability to obtain their visas without submitting to their abusers.

Nevertheless, this particular statute is just one component of the solution. We require the regulation of International Marriage Brokers and a thorough anti-trafficking statute that contains particular stipulations to battle the abuse of foreign brides by American males.