Introduction: Transnational Cross-Cultural Marriage in Australia’s Multicultural Society

Negative evaluations of Asian-Australian correspondence marriages (so-called mail-order bride unions) persist since the genesis of the stereotype in the 1980s. This chapter examines historical and social factors contributing to the genesis of the stereotype: marriage histories and practices; globalisation in travel and new forms of information and communication technologies (ICTs); and Australia’s relations with Asia. How are real-world relations haunted by negative stereotypes? The chapter introduces a research project spotlighting the families formed through correspondence courtship, relationships that are hidden from view by sensational media reporting of failures.