This article is intended to take a
cursory look at the history of the popular phrase "Mail Order Brides."
"Mail Order Bride" is a very emotional phrase that automatically comes
with a negative connotation. It is perceived as demeaning even though
the vast majority of people are unclear of the rich history associated
with the phrase. Unfortunately, that history led to some of the common
stereotypes and stigmas that have carried over to today.
Today's matchmaking landscape is much
different then what we had twenty years ago, let alone 200 or 300 years
ago, yet the same term Mail Order Bride is still used to describe
International Introductions; in other words, a man and a woman who
reside in different countries who form a relationship and ultimately
marry. Despite all the governmental and private studies proving that
International marriages enjoy much lower rates of divorce and spousal
abuse than domestic marriages, they still are viewed by many as existing
on a lower level than a marriage between two individuals from the same
country. Part of this attitude by the general public may be attributed
to the history of the phrase "Mail Order Bride," which many still
mistakenly equate with couples who meet Internationally today. 
