Hello,
I found your message very interesting I read it twice.
My mother is Greek, your story sounds some what similar to hers. Grand-Father spoke Greek to her, they lived in America, and wanted her to marry Greek, actually she didn't marry a Greek. She wanted my sister and I to marry Greeks back in their Greek Islands... It was a cast thing she said. I'm thinking she was a little sorry she didn't marry into the high cast we were born into... lots of money in those marriages. Of course those marriages are arranged.
Now to address the women you spoke about who stay in Jordan to see their Children. I'm sure they were advised, before marriage if there was a divorce the father's would retain the children as he could better provide. I am revert to Islam and am well aware of this ruling in the Sharia law, about the children staying with the father. Still, my heart goes out to anyone who is oppressed.
May you be happy and healthy, God Bless you and your family.. amen.
Fatima