SE Asia “Passport Bros” Educate me

Yesterday I became aware of the term “Passport Bros”

It was explained to me that they are western educated men who seek partners from developing countries because they have a more traditional view of marriage. Ie subservient.

This isn’t like the older western bloke looking for the “Thai Bride” sex tourist. Apparently it’s young guys, career minded men.

It is also apparently different from for example my friend who worked abroad and met his now partner who was local to that country by chance.

I just want to know more about this because recently I have started working remotely with a lot of western males living in SE Asia.

They generally have the same story. TEFL or IT roles, they all appear to be single when they arrive and then hook up with - often well educated - women from the region.

An example being the other day. An American who lives in China with an Indian wife who is from Malaysia. They don’t engage in the local world, but hang out with other white guys with SE Asian wives.

Race appears to be an issue - or not depending on how you interpret it. It is often mentioned in conversation. So and so has a Greek wife. My wife is from the Philippines etc, where as here in the UK at least in my experience, race and nationality aren’t an issue. Why for example would I tell you my cousin’s wife is French, or my other friend!s husband is from Uganda? It’s almost like these guys talk about their spouses like we talk about cars here. I’ve got a 330D, a C-Class etc.

I would really like sone insight to this. Is it the modern version of what my Dad used to call certain people? Failed In London, Try Hong Kong? Is it some sort of 21st Century imperialism? It seems to me to have been fuelled by the internet and perhaps covid. I can’t work out if it’s sexist, racist or none of that.

I am genuinely interested in people and cultures/subcultures so I’m hoping someone can educate me.

'Mother-Wives' is another term I've heard, which I think sums it up quite well.

From my experience living in SE Asia (2000s), expats typically are able to attract a more attractive women than what they would at home. These Asian cultures often have a more defined and traditional husband- wife role where the husband works and the wife runs the household. Doesn’t sound like anything has changed

there's nothing at all in your post that is remotely new, other than labelling it. the idea that people become expats due to 'failure' in their country of origin is also a stretch, even for you.

That's a perfect description of someone I know who has a Thai wife!