Economies of Gender - (Politics of Marriage and Gender: Global Issues in Local Contexts) by Julia H Meszaros

About the Book

Economies of Gender: Masculinity, "Mail Order Brides," and Women's Labor explores the global dating industry, challenging stereotypes by examining how men seek "feminine capital" in international partners. Through twelve years of research, the book reveals how gender, labor, and cultural dynamics shape relationships across different regions.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"Economies of Gender is remarkable. Meszaros provides unparalleled insights to the industry of international romance when she describes the organization of the market, introduces us to the entrepreneurs who connect men and women across borders, and explains why there are clients for this market. At the heart of the story is the quest of men to recoup masculinity."--Rhacel Salazar Parreñas "Doris Stevens Professor in Women's Studies, Princeton University"

"A sharp and insightful examination of how gender shapes economic structures, Economies of Gender reveals the hidden mechanisms of labor, value, and power. Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the intersection of gender and global economies."--Kimberly Kay Hoang "author of Spiderweb Capitalism: How Global Elites Exploit Frontier Markets"

About the Author

JULIA H. MESZAROS is an associate professor of sociology at East Texas A&M University.