Economies of Gender: Masculinity, Mail Order Brides, and Women's Labor (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781978842779)

Economies of Gender: Masculinity, "Mail Order Brides," and Women's Labor offers a provocative exploration of the international dating industry, challenging simplistic narratives of human trafficking and scams while shedding light on the economic dynamics of gender. Through twelve years of fieldwork, the book delves into the motivations and experiences of men who seek relationships abroad, driven by dissatisfaction with Western women who, they believe, no longer embody traditional femininity. By examining romantic tourism hotspots such as Ukraine, Colombia, and the Philippines, Economies of Gender reveals how these international settings serve as "intimate frontiers," where men seek to extract femininity capital and bolster their status. It illuminates the often-unseen economic underpinnings of relationships and questions how global gender dynamics shape desires, fantasies, and intimate markets. Through its compelling analysis, the book broadens the conversation on gender, power, and the commodification of intimacy in a globalized world.

Author: Julia H. Meszaros
ISBN-10: 1978842775
ISBN-13: 9781978842779
Publisher: Rutgers University Press
Language: English
Published: 10/14/2025
Pages: 176
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.00lbs