Latin Women

WHY LATIN WOMEN SEEK HUSBANDS FROM ABROAD

Once again - there are many wonderful Latin American men who love their wives and children and who are
passionate about their culture and country. I was fist asked to guide a Romance Tour to Cartagena, Colombia in
2003 and reluctantly agreed. Like most of us, I had heard only negative things about South America from our
terribly limited and biased media. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL, GRACIOUS AND INVITING COUNTRY,
CULTURE AND PEOPLE!

I am in no way perpetuating ridiculous stereotypes of Latin men or women by what I write here. I LOVED my
time in Colombia, would go back in a heartbeat - and take my wife and children with me to experience this
remarkable place! Yet, I know men who are considering the search for lovely Latin bride - like all men in the
beginnings of the foreign bride search - will need an understanding of why so many exciting women from
countries like Colombia, Costa Rica and Peru are seeking men from abroad. I will simply write some things I
have read or observed that may have some part in each lady's decision to find YOU and the life of respect and
protection that YOU represent.

Some Facts Around The Daily Lives of Latin Women:

According to the Colombian Institute of Legal Medicine, the country experienced an increase in domestic
violence cases from 1996 - 2001, estimating the average at six cases every hour. Evidence suggests that
unemployed men release their frustration through spousal abuse. Family related violence has increased in
Colombia by 25% since 1991.

A United nations report recently cited that a violent act against women occurs in Peru once every ten minutes!

In Colombia, women and girls receive cultural messages emphasizing their dependence on men and stressing
their sexuality as key to their identity. Under President Uribe, new legislation prohibits all but the victim of
abuse from making an official complaint and initiating the legal process against the perpetrator. This legislation
limits the likelihood of legal prosecution and represents a setback for the protection of women.

According to the International Organization for Migration, it is estimated that in Colombia alone, 10 women are
trafficked out of the country every day, and about 500,000 Colombian women and children are believed to have
been trafficked into sexual exploitation or forced labour outside the country.

Latin women are typically raised in traditional families with Christian values, thus Colombia has one of the lowest
divorce rates in the world!

Costa Rican women are often highly educated and hold decent jobs paying respectable wages. They are not
desperate to leave their countries. Most simply reject the whole macho culture and chauvinistic attitudes of Costa
Rican men.

Peru is a country where half the population lives below the so called poverty line. 50% of women work but
typically earn 25% less than men. "Machismo" culture is so pervasive, women are often abused physically,
emotionally and sexually by their spouses.

Currently there are no laws against sexual harassment in the workplace in Peru!

A CNN broadcast in 1998 said "Some 25 percent of Lima's traffic police are already women, and these first
recruits have earned a reputation among drivers as not bribeable." The women are more honest and morally firm
than the men. It's undeniable," said Cmdr. Pedro Montoya, who is training an all-woman motorcycle brigade.

Why Latin Women Seek Foreign Men:

"Latin women are simply tired of unfaithful men," one Colombian girl told me, when asked why she sought a
foreign husband. "See that guy over there? That guy wants to sleep with that girl, and that girl, and that girl, and
that girl. I'm a good girl and don't want to put up with that all my life." A short while later while having a beer
on my hotel balcony with one of my male interpreters, he confides in me with a sheepish grin "You know, I don't
want to cheat on my wife but what can I do? These girls all need a man. This is paradise for guys!"

I have met or interviewed hundreds of Latin women since I began in the International Marriage experience years
ago. 99% of these ladies, when asked, told me the most important qualities they valued in their future life-partner
- were monogamy and kindness!

In the end, Latin women may love their families, friends and even country - but finding a happy, healthy,
productive and family-oriented guy will often require them to look abroad for someone like YOU!