The Editor,

Aren't we getting a bit tired of certain people banging on about vulnerable Eastern

women trapped in inescapable servility by naughty Western men? (re: Sandra J. Summers

Phnom Penh Post letter June 14 and her sequel "Tasteless, offensive", June

28).

In the majority of cases Eastern women have far greater autonomy than they would

otherwise enjoy in a typical Eastern marriage. Talking from personal experience and

addressing some issues raised in the letters...

Age: I happen to be thirteen years older than my Khmer wife. So what? Aside from

the fact that Eastern women prefer older men, it really isn't very important. What

is important is we have freedom within our marriage and we have FUN - perhaps Ms.

Summers should look this word up in her dictionary.

Finance: I happen to earn four hundred and twenty-five times more than my wife (who

works in a ministry). So what? In all matters financial we consult each other, we

share.

Power: I choose to live in Cambodia because I don't like my native country. My wife

has the immediate support of her large and loyal family. I am alone. Who has the

power? If we go to live in my country (God forbid), the move will not automatically

change me into a demonic ogre, a power-crazed male chauvinist hell-bent on keeping

her my slave. No, I will continue to treat my wife on equal terms, I will continue

to help her flourish and I will continue to be the reconstructed man I have been

for many years.

As for the "Missionary Position" letter in the June 28th issue, I've not

yet met anyone who fully understands this rambling diatribe. Perhaps one needs a

BA in BS to grasp the finer points of his/her argument. But if it helps the anonymous

writer (wisely anonymous), my wife doesn't like the missionary position.

Eastern women are not all vulnerable, Western men are not all naughty. Will we ever

stop sterotyping?

- Charles Hardy, Kompong Chhnang