INTERNATIONAL MARRIAGE: THAI WOMEN AND SINGAPOREAN MEN IN SINGAPOREAN PATRIARCHAL SOCIETY

Abstract

The study of international marriages between Thai women and Singaporean men in Singapore aims to investigate the phenomenon of such marriages. The paper examines gender relations, influence of stereotypes, cultural and structural forces that guide Singaporean society, individual choices and expectations in a marriage in the present and the future. The study relies on qualitative research methods in particular in-depth interview with twenty couples in total. The main theories include, Takashi Inoue’s theory of international marriage, Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and Anthony Giddens’ structuration theory. Based on the findings, there is a conflict in choices of mate selections and expectations in a marriage of such couples. These conflicting ideas have caused a point of contention and created an unhappy marriage for couples involved in international marriage. The lingering of such negative sentiments can prove to be catastrophic for these couples. However, these couples are simply not victims of their circumstance. Instead, they are active agents who continuously endeavour to make progress in their lives and social status as a couple.