I WONDER if love is in the equation when Singaporean men decide
to marry foreign brides ("Bride and gloom"; last Saturday).
Many brides have to bear with abuse at home as they are at the
mercy of their husbands, who can cancel their long-term social
visit passes at any time. More should be done to protect foreign
brides.
Lack of legislation also means that any man with cash in hand
can literally "buy" a bride.
There is also a lack of financial checks on the part of
matchmaking agencies to ascertain if a man is capable of raising a
family. It is always easy to "buy" a bride but maintaining a family
is not so simple.
Moreover, children born into domestic violence are likely to
copy their parents by either being abusive or uncomplaining victims
of abuse when they grow up.
The Government should ensure that men seeking foreign brides are
able to afford raising a family. They must have a decent job and be
able to at least provide for the family's basic needs.
The men must also be made to sign an undertaking not to abuse
their wives, or face criminal prosecution if they do so.
Gilbert Goh
