Data shows that these women clearly prefer Western partners. In South Korea, 28% of international marriages in 2023 were to American men, followed by 18% to Chinese men. About 17% of women married men from other Western countries, including France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. A similar trend can be seen in Japan, where American men are the top foreign groom candidates for Japanese women. However, Japanese men looking for foreign brides mainly choose women from China or the Philippines.
Why white partners are preferred
Whites’ preferences for partners are influenced by a combination of cultural depictions and social differences. Western movies and media often depict white men as romantic and egalitarian figures, shaping perceptions of them as ideal partners. Additionally, Western countries rank higher on the global gender equality index compared to South Korea and Japan, making them attractive to women seeking more balanced relationships.
A 2017 Pew report highlighted a broader trend that Asian women in the United States marry outside their race more often than Asian men. The preference for interracial marriage among Asian women may reflect a desire to avoid traditional expectations within their community. Western countries generally rank higher than many Asian countries in gender equality rankings. This perceived difference may contribute to the view that Western men offer a more equitable partnership.
This pattern suggests that these women are seeking more egalitarian partnerships. One researcher notes that most Japanese women who marry foreigners are “company workers” who want to “find romantic love and escape their culture’s patriarchal gender expectations.” he pointed out. Surveys show that Korean women are increasingly reluctant to get married, citing concerns about housework, childcare, and the overall disadvantages of marriage.
South Korea and Japan still adhere to the “Three Principles”
Despite significant economic and technological progress in South Korea and Japan, social norms and patriarchal expectations continue to influence women’s roles in marriage and work. While both countries are global industrial leaders, their cultural frameworks mean that women are expected to abide by traditional roles such as unpaid domestic work and caregiving, while enduring significant pay disparities with men. many. South Korea, known for its technological and industrial excellence, still adheres to this rule. A cultural norm rooted in the “three-fold rule of obedience,” which states that women must obey their fathers, husbands, and sons, depending on their life stage. Women are expected to prioritize family obligations, prioritize their in-laws, and shoulder the brunt of household responsibilities. Additionally, South Korea has the highest gender wage gap among OECD countries, with women earning about two-thirds of what men earn. The situation is similar in Japan, the world’s third largest economy. Women earn only 75% of what men earn, and societal expectations pressure women to fulfill traditional roles, often preventing them from marrying and having children.
Redefining marriage in a changing world
By choosing to marry interracially, Asian women are challenging traditional norms and seeking relationships based on equality and mutual respect. This change reflects widespread dissatisfaction with the patriarchal framework of their home countries and a growing desire for autonomy and personal fulfillment.
While this trend highlights the steps women are taking to redefine their lives, it also highlights the need for social reforms to address the systemic inequalities that drive such decisions. Masu.
(This is an article published in TOI)
