FINANCE COLOMBIA – Dr. Julia Meszaros, Associate Professor of Sociology at Texas A&M Commerce, has studied the premium international dating (PID) industry for over a decade, focusing on Ukraine, the Philippines, and Colombia. Her research explores gender roles, globalization, and motivations behind cross-border relationships.
Key points:
- Men’s motivations: Mostly older, divorced, conservative American men seeking younger, “traditional,” feminine women after disappointment with U.S. dating. Many view Western feminism as having “ruined” local women.
- Women’s motivations: Typically under 40, often single mothers or divorced, looking for stability and faithfulness rather than wealth.
- Industry structure: Legitimate agencies operate under IMBRA (2005) regulations. Men pay; women join free. Tours – especially in Colombia’s Medellín – feature large meet-and-greet socials with translators and organized dates
- Market trends:
Colombia attracts men for its proximity, safety improvements, and vibrant culture.
Philippines marriages show the highest longevity – linked to conservative values, poverty, and openness to migration. - Sociological insight: The PID market reflects a global gender imbalance – as women gain education and independence, some men turn abroad seeking traditional roles.
- Her book, Economies of Gender, argues that modern relationships remain economic exchanges, where men seek women’s emotional and domestic labor as symbols of masculinity.
Overall, Meszaros frames the growth of the PID industry as a by-product of gender, economic, and cultural shifts in Western societies rather than exploitation or trafficking.
See full article at Finance Colombia
