The Daily Iowan 1997

'DEGRADING TO WOMEN' Iowa Citians spurn Web-bride service

By Kevin Ho The Daily Iowan

Looking for a wife? Buy a modem. Just don't expect many UI students to offer the service of Internet-order brides a favorable endorsement. "It is degrading to women," said UI junior Joanne Chang.

"First of all, I don't think there should be mail-order brides. This is selling yourself." Chang is talking about the new crop of Web sites that cater to men on the lookout for would-be brides. Women from all over the world, especially the Philippines and Russia, have posted pictures and biographies on the Web through companies for men to browse. "I would never do something like this," Chang said. "I know this is a hi-tech sort of way to do it. They don't have to go through the mail. Now it's like you say: click and matrimony."

Although Chang said she disagrees with having such sites on the Web, she said individuals should be allowed to decide for themselves. "I don't agree with having this on the Net, but it shouldn't be censored because there are much worse things on the Net," she said. UI graduate student Eduardo Garcia, who is from Colombia, said he found particularly offensive sites featuring Colombian women.

"I have mixed feelings about that," he said. "I saw (Internet-order brides) in February in The New York Times, and I checked those out, but around the same time through a bulletin board I was given addresses about Latin women; I thought it was disgusting. Some office jerk in Ft. Lauderdale was putting together a catalog of Colombian women." Garcia said he was upset about having sites that portrayed women in this way. "Look at their catalog! It's really upsetting," he said.

However, Garcia said it should be up to individuals to decide whether they use the sites. "I'm not the one to judge," he said. "It's up to the individual. I believe in freedom of speech and privacy on the Net. I opposed the Communications act, but for me it's borderline -- between tasteless and what is appropriate."

One of these Web sites, World Class Service, specializes in Filipino women, and boasts more than 29,000 visits since it started operation. World Class Service boasts this as their motto: "The mission of World Class Service is to introduce girls from the Philippines who would like to correspond with, meet, and marry Western men."

Monique DiCarlo, director of Women's Resource and Action Center, 130 N. Madison St., said while some people may find Web sites like these offensive, it may be their only chance at a better life for many of the women who participate.

"In general, my concern about mail-order wives is they can be vulnerable," she said. "They may be alienated from a supportive family and community. Financially, they may be dependent on their suitor. If there was abuse or in general it was a bad situation, it is oftentimes impossible (there may be a language barrier) in her getting the help she needs."

DiCarlo said she was concerned about women being trapped in a bad marriage. "I think the situations are set up to view the marriage in a very hierarchal way," she said. "Their suitor is their visa sponsor -- another way they are trapped in a relationship." DiCarlo said services like these are the only way many women can improve their situation. "I believe women go in and register with the services and view it as an opportunity, because economic needs," she said. "Yes, it's exploiting them. Basically it's selling the women."

DiCarlo said there is a need to listen to women who choose to join these services. "I want to respect and listen to people who feel this is their only choice to support their family and herself," she said. "We have a responsibility to find other ways as a community to help her and find her other ways in which she can meet her goals."

Title: Iowa Citians spurn Web-bride service

By: Kevin Ho Page: 1A

Date: 7/5/96