YEREVAN. – Ethno-centric disorders are observed among the women in Armenia, psychologist Karine Nalchajyan stated, during a press conference on Saturday, speaking as to why Armenian girls prefer foreign—specifically, Iranian—fiancés.    

In her words, Islam is a very ethno-centric religion, but some Armenian women do not take this into consideration. “Women are more ethno-centric than men,” Nalchajyan said, and noted that most of those who are getting married say there is no future in Armenia and, by leaving Armenia in this way, they are trying to build a future for them.   

The press conference’s other speaker, Father Babken Hayrapetyan of the Armenian Apostolic Church, said the argument that they will be happier when marrying a foreigner is an illusion. “This country [that is, Armenia] was called a paradise, and Noah landed on this soil. Our region is mentioned as Eden in ancient maps,” he added.    

As per Karine Nalchajyan, Armenian men’s marrying foreign women is nothing new. But, in this case, she pointed to the extent of cultural issues within such family. “When the [foreign] brides-to be come to Armenia, there are no [cultural] losses, or they are very small,” the psychologist noted.

In his turn, Father Babken Hayrapetyan added that the Catholicos of All Armenians has instructed to refrain from marrying foreign men.