International marriage business in Ukraine: anthropological dimension.

Abstract

This thesis represents the analysis of international marriage business in Ukraine through anthropological lenses. The study clarifies previously unexplained patterns of international marriage business by revealing links between feminism and the work in international marriage agencies. Initial part of the work is the elaboration on main anthropological notions, such as patriarchy, feminism and gender studies in general. The anthropological fieldwork is presented by the interviwees conducted with three women who are involved in marriage business of Odessa. Additionally, various types of New Media are used in order to back up the findings and present the opportunity for cultural critique. Among them – marriage agency websites, documentary and fiction films, etc. The thesis is that the international marriage market is an indicator of global feminism. Thus, the given work concentrates on Ukrainian women reversing the patriarchal structures, masculinity issues and hegemony of western governmentality.