mail order brides

It's the week of the living dead threads, lol. I started looking through more of the forums, thinking I must have missed these ads and if things were that desperate for MO, then I read the date on the post. @Kohagura - Your first idea is spot on. They're "marriage" agencies that cater to people looking for a spouse/companion from various regions of the world; Eastern Europe, Russia, Asia, etc. Why the clients don't try looking in their home countries? Could be because they have the same insecurities or experiences you might have read in the forums, or for the same stereotypical reasons you've read as well.

It makes a lot of sense... I know if I lived in a country that oppressed me, I'd want to move. @_@ And surely it's like a romantic dream for them to meet a foreigner, though I guess some may abuse it too... Or it could be vice versa and the new husband could abuse her too... It sounds pretty risky either way.

It's not so much about leaving an oppressive country, rather leaving poverty or seeking better chances for marriage. Russia for example has 8 men for every 10 women. There are instances of abuse, by either spouse, but it seems to be rare.

Had not noticed the ads. I question the motives of anyone that wants to get married to get married. I understand some want it for a passport out of their homeland for various (often good) reasons. I entertained the thought for about 5 minutes once upon a time. Not my thing.