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Mail-Order Brides

Mail-Order Brides . By: Rebecca Erickson & Kim Wachholder. U.S. Mail-Order Bride Industry. First seen in the United States during the mid 1800’s due to the Gold Rush era. Beginning of the 20 th Century Mail-order bride industry operated by catalogues.

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Mail-Order Brides

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  1. Mail-Order Brides By: Rebecca Erickson & Kim Wachholder

  2. U.S. Mail-Order Bride Industry • First seen in the United States during the mid 1800’s due to the Gold Rush era. • Beginning of the 20th Century Mail-order bride industry operated by catalogues. • Technology now allowed the industry to expand to tremendous proportions. • Around 4,000- 6,000 marriages arranged and 150,000 women listed yearly.

  3. Why become a Mail-order Bride? A Better Life Desirable Wishes • Escape Poverty • Escape Discrimination • Fast-track to the U.S. • Obligation to support the Family • Opportunity to get family into the U.S. • Escape a failed marriage or divorce stigma • A western husband/lifestyle • Men in their country don’t satisfy • Want to be married • Want a compatible husband

  4. Political Issues Issues of Immigration Issues of Women’s Rights • Bride is a foreigner to culture, language, and society • Immigrant workers • Language barriers • Many women are forced into the industry • Obey husband or get sent back • Pornography

  5. Cultural Issues • Prostitution • Violence • Expectations of Men vs. Women • Good Wife Guidelines • Rejection

  6. Issues of Prostitution Several websites provide measurements of breasts, waist, and hips Some websites provide sexual images and video footage Children Buy and return

  7. Issues of Violence • Background checks are not required for the men ordering the mail order brides • If mail order bride is not what man expected, there are several cases where the man beats the bride for not meeting his expectations • If returned, the bride may face abuse from her family and her culture for being a failure

  8. General Expectations the Men Have • Dependent • Submissiveness • Less intimidating • Young wife • Appreciative • Traditional wife

  9. General Expectations Mail Order Brides Have • Good income • Older • Educated • Conservatives • Nonsocial

  10. Guidelines to being a Good Wife (1955) • -Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you’ll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work weary people. • -Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it. • -Be happy to see him. • -Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first – remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours. • -A good wife always knows her place. • (If you want to read more on how to be a good housewife, go to www.goodwife.com)

  11. Rejection • Many women are sent as mail order brides to get away from their homeland. • Likely to be abused • If man returns her, she may be rejected by: • Her family • Her society

  12. Social Issues Negative Positive • Stigma with title of mail-order bride • Viewing of women like a “product” • Abuse and murders that occur • Men’s rejection of U.S. women • Spread of international feminism • Successful marriages allow for happiness • Lower divorce rate than U.S. married couples • Greater acceptance of foreigners

  13. Mail Order Husbands

  14. Bachelor #1: Daryl Location: Wooster Falls, Canada Description: My name is Daryl, I am 17, but will be turning 18 in September. I figure by the time we get to know each other I will be legal tender and we can marry. My parents are kicking me out after December and I’d like to meet a woman with a lot of money so we can have fun. I like women between 18-45, but would consider older if we don’t have to touch a lot.

  15. Bachelor #2: Steven Location: New Mexico, USA Description: I’m definitely a classic romantic. I like a candlelight dinner, some quiet background music, and a couple hits of ether. I prefer a woman that has insurance and a car would be great as I need to make the occasional trip to Mexico to pick up “souvenirs”.

  16. Bachelor #3: Mike Location: Pelican Bay Pen, USA Description: Ladies, I have a lot of love to give. I will be starting a new life shortly and want you to be part of it. I am very romantic and in very good condition…but I won’t be available for 18 months, but I’m happy to write letters. I’m up for parole next month, so I’m hoping to be available sooner.

  17. What do you think? • Should it be legal? Or just limited to dating sites? • Should women be able to have a say in who buys them? • Do you think this is a positive thing for the United States? • Is it ethical to buy a wife and her kids? • Do you think this is a sexist industry?

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