The term “bride through correspondence” evokes mixed feelings, from wonder and intrigue to suspicion and uncertainty. For some, it evokes images of true love blossoming across borders, while others imagine a landscape filled with potential scams. But what is the truth behind mail order brides? The reality lies partly in between.

Mail order brides have a prolonged and complex history in America, beginning with the practice of placing ads in newspapers for brides during the Gold Rush in the 19th century. Lonely men in the Western territories looked for Eastern or overseas women to marry and settle down, while the women commonly left their families behind to begin a new life with their husbands. Although the practice had some pitfalls, it helped form communities and brought many couples together.

Today, international marriage brokering is a flourishing industry. A basic Google search for mail order brides bride” brings up numerous websites and services offering women from around the world to marry American men. While some experts argue that this equates to human trafficking, others maintain that the majority of the women who sign up for this service do so with their agreement.

While there are diverse reasons why women choose to be a mail-order bride, the most frequent is a desire for stability and a lasting relationship. These women generally come from countries with restricted economic or social prospects, and are looking for partners who share their values. They also tend to wish for a more traditional lifestyle than they can find domestically. It is not uncommon for men to purchase brides from Asia, Latin America, or Europe in order to get the kind of family they have always dreamed of.

Despite the stereotypes of downtrodden mail-order brides in ramshackle countries, many of these women are actually quite successful and accomplished, with education, jobs, and other achievements to their names. Moreover, studies have shown that marriages arranged through dating tourism agencies have a much lower divorce rate than marriages between domestic couples.

In addition to the financial benefits, many of these relationships also provide the women with a sense of pride and empowerment. They are able to show off their accomplishments, learn about a foreign culture, and most importantly, have the freedom to be who they are without fear of judgement.

However, it is important to note that a number of the men who use international marriage brokers are abusive and can be very dangerous to their brides. This is why Congress enacted the Violence Against Women Act in 2006, which requires that international marriage brokers be licensed and regulated by the federal government. This is a critical step in addressing domestic violence, as well as ensuring that the women who are recruited to be mail-order brides are protected against abuse and exploitation by their husbands.