Russian ladies are sprinting, not just walking, down the aisle. Results of the 2002 Census conducted by Russia’s State Statistics Committee confirmed what has been apparent all along: the number of Russian brides exceeded the number of Russian bridegrooms by 65,000. The trend is likely to continue, with Russian women outnumbering Russian men by twelve million and single Russian women relentlessly pursuing their dream of finding a loving husband. The shortage of eligible Russian men has driven many single Russian women to seek their romantic fortunes beyond the Federation’s borders. Thus was born Russian mail order bride.

So many Russian brides and not enough bridegrooms

The significance of the Russian women-Russian men population disparity cannot be underscored enough. There are just not enough men to meet these Russian ladies at the altar. Faced with a dearth of eligible, responsible men in their own backyard, Russian singles are rushing to Russian dating services to find their lifetime partner. Looking through the profiles of Russian singles posted on Russian dating services’ Web sites, one would observe that these marriage-minded Russian ladies run the entire spectrum of the Russian women demographic. There are Russian women doctors, lawyers, teachers, government employees, sales clerks, with ages ranging from 18 to 40-plus. The Russian dating agency has become a beacon of hope for many Russian singles lost adrift in the Russian dating scene.

Factors that drive the Russian mail order bride phenomenon

Russian mail order brides are not just a product of supply outstripping demand. There are other compelling reasons why female Russian singles are signing up with Russian dating agencies. One such reason lies with tradition itself, which dictates marriage and motherhood to be indelible parts of the Russian woman’s experience. A Russian lady seeks fulfillment by marrying and bearing a child. Another reason why a female Russian single chooses to be a Russian mail order bride is Russian ladies’ negative perceptions of Russian men. Russian women have grown disillusioned with Russian men who drink to excess and treat Russian women badly.

Traditional role expectations of Russian women (mail order brides)

Getting married and raising a family are two inextricable phases of life among Russian women. The legal marrying age in Russia is 18, and it is not uncommon to see young Russian ladies signing the marriage certificate as soon as they reach the age of consent. Consequently, a Russian lady who remains unmarried beyond the age of 25 earns the unattractive title of “spinster.” Mothers serve as gender role models to Russian ladies, who are taught that Russian brides are expected to be a “keeper of the home fire” and to place their husband’s and children’s needs before their own. Russian women believe marriage and motherhood to the strongest assertions of Russian womanhood, and to remain unmarried a sign of a personal failure.

Russian women and their disillusionment with Russian men

Many single Russian women are joining Russian dating agencies in the hope of finding not just any husband, but one imbued with qualities that women all over the world search for in a mate: integrity, gentleness, a strong sense of responsibility, and an inherent appreciation for romance. Russian ladies perceive Western men as loving, caring, easy-going, and romantic, while Russian men, whether unfairly or not, are viewed as unromantic, bad-mannered creatures of vice. The higher number of Russian women than men makes for what Westerners call “slim pickings,” and while female Russian singles are rushing to settle down, they are not willing to settle for unmarriageable Russian men.

Russian mail order agencies shed their shady image

Though the stigma of being a Russian mail order bride persists, Russian ladies continue to enlist the help of Russian dating agencies to help them land a good husband. This may be attributed to the fact that many of these Russian ladies and their Western male admirers are slowly realizing the term “Russian mail order bride” is a misnomer. Phrases like international introduction agencies, Russian dating services, or Russian dating agencies, are more appropriate reflections of the way hopeful Russian brides are introduced to prospective husbands. A Russian dating service does not sell Russian brides by post, and Russian brides are not ordered by mail. No, a Russian dating agency only facilitates the introduction, correspondence, and eventual meeting between a Russian lady and her prospective husband. Russian mail order bride agencies provide only the platform for Russian women to find love and be loved.