by C. G.

Created on: October 30, 2009

Mail Order Brides: Once a Taboo Always a Taboo?

It's no secret that society does not approve of international matchmaking services, aka mail order bride sites. However, who remembers that domestic matchmaking services were once considered taboo as well? Believe it or not, there was a time when society frowned upon online dating in any form, but those days have come and gone. So are international matchmaking services soon to follow?

The Taboo Days of Domestic Dating Sites

Think back to the '90s and the rising popularity of the Internet. Online chat was exciting and new and people from around the world connected in ways that weren't previously possible. Men and women developed romantic relationships after meeting online and a few couples even went on to wed. Unlike today, however, society tended to view such couples as shocking or strange. It wasn't uncommon to see these couples on daytime talk shows, sharing their story with curious (and often judgmental) audiences.

Over the years, however, society's views have changed and online dating is no longer taboo. In fact, it's common and widely accepted. Who doesn't know someone who has a profile on one the many domestic dating sites out there? Unfortunately, international matchmaking sites have not enjoyed the same reception as their domestic counterparts.

Why are International Matchmaking Sites Still Taboo?

Most people are suspicious of international matchmaking sites because of the negative stereotypes that plague the industry. The most common stereotypes are as follows.

Men who use international matchmaking sites want "subservient" women or "sex slaves" The women on the sites are desperate to leave their home country and are only after a green card. The women are scammers who want money and gifts, not love and romance. The men on international dating sites are weird and defective and can't get a woman in their home country. The women are prostitutes that can be purchased for the right price

What to Do

If you face criticism from your family or friends for using an international matchmaking service, educate them about it! Let them know that you aren't picking a woman from a catalog and having her shipped to your door. Explain that many foreign women seek Western husbands, not because they want money and a green card, but because they want a man with traditional family values. The more people know about international matchmaking sites, the more they are likely to accept the international dating industry as a whole. Perhaps one day international dating sites will receive the same measure of respect as domestic dating sites like eharmony or match.com.

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