Top Five Reasons Why International Marriages Fail in Shanghai and Which Countries CanNOT Make it Work

There are about 100,000 international marriages in Shanghai. 3,000 Shanghai residents married people from 55 different countries in 2006 alone…up 23%.

However, dissolving marriages were also up…355 divorces last year.

The number one reason why Shanghai women marry a foreigner…a chance to get a better life or go abroad…no mention of love, commitment, or cupid.

The three worst combinations:

1. Sino-Japanese

2. Sino-American

3. Sino-Australian

The top five reasons for divorce:

1. Lack of common culture

2. Lack of common language

3. Difference in customs

4. Difference in tradtion

5. Difference in religious beliefs

What about marriage for other than commitment and desire to spend a life together regardless of obstacles? I think that would be the number one reason. No?

What about a lack of respect, a lack of tolerance and a desire for mutual understanding?

Those are the elements that make for a good marriage, international or not.