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Marriages between Filipinas and foreigners are becoming increasingly more common. It is not unheard of for women living in countries with a lower standard of living to actively look for a husband abroad, but Filipino brides seem to have a reputation with that.
Many local and international media outlets have recognized this phenomenon, referring to various sociological studies in their articles and news reports that prove an increased interest of Filipino girls in marrying foreign men, as well as the other way around.
Why Do Filipinas Marry Foreigners?
Money
Financial gain is often mentioned among the reasons for Filipinas to marry a foreigner. Many families are struggling to make the ends meet on the occasional jobs and limited salaries that they get. Work opportunities are also very limited, especially for young women. They would welcome a chance to enjoy a wealthier life if it would mean that they’d have to marry a foreigner.
Status
Most Filipinas would also be quite happy about it because having a foreign husband is often perceived as a status symbol. Young Filipinas and foreigners who walk through the streets of Philippines holding each other’s hands are sure to get looks of envy from local girls, or at least that seems to be the common perception there. Marrying a foreign husband is often encouraged by parents, who often act as matchmakers in hopes that their daughters will fare better overseas.
Hollywood
In the eyes of Filipino women, Western countries like the United States are the landmark of wealth and success. The existence of that image can be attributed to Hollywood films and media influence. Girls who are indifferent to love stories played out on TV by local Filipino actors can be mesmerized by the romance depicted in the latest Hollywood movie. It makes foreign men much more desirable in their eyes, and falling in love to leave with a Westerner becomes their dream.
Living Abroad
Many girls blindly believe that life in US and other Western countries will simply be better than their current lives in Philippines and cling onto any chance they get to make their dream come true. However, the reality is often not the way they imagined. As the saying goes, the grass always seems greener on the other side of the fence, and this is a perfect example.
Better Opportunities
However, not all Filipino women are gold diggers who expect to have an easy ride abroad or young naive girls who don’t know any better. Sometimes, they are simply looking for opportunities that are not available to them in their home country.
Philippines has many poor regions with few prospects for young women to find jobs. They also have a hard time getting good education, unless they are lucky enough to be born in a wealthy family. Countries such as United States can provide much better prospects for well-paid employment and education to Filipinas and foreigners whom they marry may promise them to help with those things.
History
But the bad economy of Philippines can’t be responsible for why American men in particular are so popular as potential husbands among Filipino women. This part can be explained by the country’s colonial past. After all, it was the Americans who supposedly freed the country from the Spanish.
Thanks to that, Westerners became imprinted into the minds of local men and women as people who brought advanced technology, fashionable clothing, luxurious food, fancy drinks and good education. This created a belief that Americans are all intelligent, educated and wealthy, which was spread by parents to their children and seems to persist in the country’s modern culture.
American men caught on to this trend and have started to actively seek out potential wives from Philippines. Marriages between Filipinas and foreigners became a common occurrence a long time ago, but their popularity increased dramatically after the widespread use of the Internet for online dating and matchmaking.
There are even specialized websites that offer Western men to find Filipino brides, and they seem to be getting a lot of business. This begs the question, what do American men and other foreigners find so attractive in the prospects of marrying a girl from Philippines?
Why Do Foreigners Marry Filipinas?
Youth
Westerners who enjoy the companionship of younger women know that they are more likely to attract girls from Philippines and choose online dating websites to find a Filipino bride. As several studies have confirmed, a common marriage between Filipinas and foreigners is one where the woman is much younger than the man she marries. The age difference can be as high as 40 years in some cases.
Culture
Unlike most Western girls, Filipinas are eager to marry at a much younger age. Marriage is a natural consequence of a relationship for most girls in Philippines. Many Western women do not share the same conviction, causing some men to consider the prospect of finding a potential wife in Philippines. Foreigners may also expect to find some more traditional values there.
Convenience
Some Western men may consider Filipinas to be lower maintenance than women at their home country. While their income may be considered quite average by Western standards, they are more likely to be able to impress a girl from Philippines. In fact, some Filipinas are so desperate to marry a foreigner that they will overlook some of their future husbands’ most glaring flaws.
Divorce
The above scenario is especially likely in the event of several consecutive failed relationships or a painful divorce, which has persuaded the man that he may not find a match for himself in his home country.
Passion
Finally, there is a belief shared by many Western men that Filipino women are very passionate and will greatly enhance their love life. Regardless of whether that stereotype has anything to do with reality, it can often be listed among the reason why Filipinas and foreigners marry.
Can Filipinas and Foreigners Both Be Happy in Marriage?
Filipinas and foreigners who can find love thousands of miles away from their home truly deserve their happy ending, but it’s not always the case. While the reasons described in this article may be perfectly valid and justified, those reasons alone can’t make a solid foundation for a healthy relationship.
Whether it’s a young Filipino girl who wants to support her family through her husband’s wealth or an older American man who is looking for a passionate wife to end his loneliness, they won’t be happy together unless there’s something else there to hold their marriage together. Otherwise, they may realize down the road that some things really can’t be bought with money.
Do you think it’s true that Filipinas have a reputation of desperately trying to marry a foreigner? If it is, can they find the happiness that they are seeking or does it always end in disappointment?
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When I first visted the Philippines in 1995 I was "infected" by the hospitality of the Pinoy, As far as Pinay~ to me there is nothing in the world to compare. I was to write songs when I had visited by never did one, I was awestruck by the world connoisseurs of hospitality and that was the Filipino adapt to every certain circumstance that is given to them. A culture deep in respect, family , morals and church.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have seen too many "older"men with the cute young ones. There is little if any work there for really making it unlike the foreign countries--- but everyone back in P.I. seems to be doing something even if there is little or no pay. Survivalist as it's best! Now, to me there is no other in the world for me than the lovely seashells eyes and femininity of the Filipina... I shall try my luck again after the first fail. There is a need to get foreign money to help the family-- always thinking of others!
There is somewhat of a culture clash though and if not a compromise between both parties~ it is not going to work well. But if there is open communication and a willingness to work it through then there is a wondrous union together. For me, I have been in Tondo & Makati, hunted seashells in my Native Nipa hut on the beach without anything but petrol & bed. Most foreigners do not take the time to understand the pride and their ideals interfere with what has little or no business there. My big nose & deep blue eyes make me look like Leonardo DiCaprio- Mel Gibson & Tom Cruise there while here I am just basura and can't get along with females in my country here. for me when it's love ~ nothings missing and besides... I have then a very big family there and instant cousins! I believe in the values and respect of the Filipino ways and that is what is lacking for me here . Thank you, P
Hi Dear :-) I am doing pretty good here. Thanks for asking and comment is really sweet from you. By the way, you have very nice blog and I love reading. I do also busy but when it not.. blog is most of my favorite spare time...
ReplyDeleteI am also Pilipina who married to wonderful American man. My husband and I met in dating site back to 2006 when I saw him in person I know, his the one of my dreams and that day was my dreams come true. I am happy since we together with beautiful daughter. TC