Preview

Dowry a Curse

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1162 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Dowry a Curse
Dowry: a social stigma | | In spite of modernization and the increasing role of women in all walks of life, the practice of the dowry in India is becoming widespread, and the value of dowry is increasing. Now the dowry has become a great criterion in the marriages instead of a proper bride. If a bride’s family fails to pay the amount of dowry demanded by the prospective groom’s family, the bride will be cruelly treated by the in-laws, and in many cases will be burnt to death.

“No dowry, no marriage,” is a widespread fear in present day society. There has also been an emergence of a feudal mindset with a materialistic attitude in a new globalized economy. The price tag for the groom is now bigger and bolder. The emergence of an affluent middle class, the torchbearer of social change in modern India, is the main factor for the perpetuation of the dowry system.

Dowry is derived from the ancient Hindu customs of “kanyadan” and “stridhan”. In “kanyadan”, the father of the bride offers the father of the groom money or property, etc. whereas for “stridhan”, the bride herself gets jewelry and clothes at the time of her marriage, usually from her relatives or friends. In “varadakshina”, the father of the bride presents the groom cash or kind. All of these could be done voluntarily and out of affection and love. Payment of a dowry, gift—often financial, has a long history in many parts of the world. In India, the payments of a dowry was prohibited in 1961 under Indian civil law and subsequently by Sections 304B and 498a of the Indian Penal Code were enacted to make it easier for the wife to seek redress from potential harassment by the husband’s family. Dowry laws have come under criticism as they have been misused by women and their families.

It has become politically fashionable to attribute all forms of violence and discrimination against women, including female infanticide and female foeticide to the economic burden of dowry that a daughter is said to

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    How has the cultural practice of dowry endowment affected women’s rights and health in India?…

    • 299 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Dower and Dowry Confusion

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The dower is a sum of money or other property which becomes payable by the husband to the wife as an effect of marriage[1]. On the other hand, Dowry is a transaction between two parties involving cash, or other valuable articles such as precious metals, gems, clothing, appliances, real estate, or goods for entertainment, made as a condition for entering a marriage contract[2].The dowry system is not recognised in the religion or the law of the Muslim societies but has spread into it.[3] Conversely, Islamic law provides dower to enhance the status of women[4]. It is important to note that until now authors confuse dower with dowry. Perhaps the aspect of women's property or stridhanam in Hindu law and dower as the exclusive property of the wife are seen as synonymous. When dowry is regarded as stridhanam or pre-mortem inheritance for women, contradictions arise and the equation of dowry with stridhanam has been disputed by several authors. They argue that the situation is absolutely reverse, as dowry is not a gift to the wife or her exclusive property but the property of her in-laws.[5]…

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ethiopian Wedding

    • 432 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The presentation of a dowry from the male's family to the female's family is common. The amount is not fixed and varies with the wealth of the families. The dowry may include livestock, money, or other socially valued items.…

    • 432 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    According to the 2010 Census of India, there are 236,772,617 females married. 40 percent of these women are in ages between 25 and 29. And, 85 percent of these marriages are arranged. In arranged marriage there is no dating, premarital sex, living together, or even physical interaction. Sheela, J. an expert for the United Nations writes that “according to the Hindu Dharma sutras, the father should give away his daughter while she still nagnika (naked)”.” This means that as soon as the parents of the eligible man is ready to get marry, his parents look for a family of the same religion, caste, social status and class with a daughter that could fit the requirements of the family. Sheela also explains the significance of the dowry in Indian culture, “The term “dowry” alludes to gifts in cash or kind giving to the husband and his relatives by the wife and her relatives in connection of marriage.” In 1961, the Dowry Prohibition Act was created to prevent the abuse and injustice in women cause by dowry disputes between families. In this act, the definition of dowry is clearly defined to include property or valuable security given in connection of marriage. This law however does not exclude voluntary gifts given to the couple in connection to marriage, i.e. present given voluntary to the couple. Abigail, Lavin reports in her article for The Weekly Standard that “the India’s National Crime Record Bureau reports one dowry death every 77 minutes”. These dowry deaths, also called “kitchen accidents” are disputes over dowry, dowry transactions, and dowry insufficient. This means that even if the Indian constitution states that the practice of dowry is illegal, society still practice it. However, the recently enacted Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA) was brought into force in 2006. This act derived from the United Nations and is considered a civil law to prevent violence against women and to protect them by making their human rights count and…

    • 1958 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Thesis: By defining and explaining Mahr and Dowry, then differentiating between the two, one will gain a better understanding of each concept.…

    • 1689 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Dowry System

    • 528 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Get Access to StudyMode.com -Complete Your Registration Now.Essays»Law©2013 StudyMode.comLegalSite MapAdvertiseBycutean, September 2010 |3 Pages (623 Words)| 3596 Views| Report| This is aPremium essay for upgraded membersUpgrade to access full essay•Dowry is a social evil.Dowry system has beenprevaling in all communities of India.It is an age oldcustom that is followed in India.When a boy is gettingmarried to a girl the parents of the boy fix a certainamount of cash and gold to be given by the girls parents.In olden days there was no demand from the boys side.The girls parents used to give some amount to the boysparents as gift.Later it became a habit to demand dowry.The brides parents struggle to arrange for cash.Ifdowry is not given the bride is harassed by the in-lawsand their relatives.The grooms resort to beating andmental torture on the bride.The institution of marriagewhich is supposed to be very sacred turned out to be atrade of men by the parents.The more educated the boyis the more the dowry is demanded.Apart from cash,gold and other house hold articles are demanded.Insome countries in the ancient times the groom only hadto bring certain no: horses to give to brides father thenonly he was allowed th marry the girl.The kings in Indiaused to give dowry only for the sake of prestage.Therewas no greed from the grooms side also.Ladies wererespected though they were confined to the four walls.Later the attitude changed and people were overcomeby greed.Dowry is also one of the reason for genderdiscrimination.If a girl is born the father almost has aheart attack.The population also increased in our grandfathers times.They used to give birth to so manychildren waiting for a boy to be born.In somecommunities the girl child was abandoned or evenkilled.With the development of science femaleinfenticides began.Some people resort to abort the girlchild.Now a days even the educated boys who are settledabraod are harrasing their wifes for more dowry.Thebride who goes with…

    • 528 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Dowry payment should not be banned in Kenya”. People opposed to dowry payments strongly believe that it is a way of extorting money from poor men. It also represents a woman to be viewed as property. Though, others for dowry argue that is just a way of paying back a vote of thanks to the woman’s family. Despite what others may believe, dowry is a must in order to embrace our African traditions, each tribe has it way, woman becomes part of the man’s property, it represents accountability in a marriage and it shows seriousness and commitment.…

    • 599 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Dalit Women Analysis

    • 1853 Words
    • 8 Pages

    e brides are forced to give large sum as dowry to fix the marriage. “they have to cover the girl’s neck with jewellery, give them cash in their hand, and write off property and land in their names” (Sangati, 12). On the contrary in the Dalit community it is the bridegroom, who gives parisam (gift) to marry the bride…

    • 1853 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Dowery System

    • 258 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The dowry system is a social evil in India.It originated since times immemorial.I am really feeling very bad with this system ,so want to give my views about this topic. Actually in the ancient times the grooms were to give dowry to the brides,but now the brides are to give dowry to the grooms and now-a-days it became a compulsory process. I think GURAJADA’S play "kanyasulkam" may be mentioned in this context.Dowry can be defined as a support to the newly married couple on either behalf in cash or kind.They were meant to the poor maids in India.In the past according to the Hindu law,women were deprived of enjoying parents,property soon after they married.Compensation was being given in those days They had been gradually developed into the dowry system.The dowry-system must be eradicated either by statutory implementation or social revolt of the Indian bride,or by both the means.an understanding should come in the minds of women,because they themselves are the sufferers from this dowry system.Many social reformers in the olden days protested seriously to abolish this system,like Kandukuri and Gurajada.But still not get suceeded.The governments also should discourage this events. The youth must be enlightened and they must be convinced that this is almost a sin. The government has banned the dowry system.Taking dowry and giving dowry is declared a crime ,but unfortunately people do not co-operate.the out-look of the people must…

    • 258 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Dowry System in India

    • 260 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Dowry system is a main problem in our society and it has disturbed and made disgrace to our society. Dowry system is the main culture system where parents of the bride give lumps of money, expensive gifts and jewellery to the bridegroom. The dowry has been done by many ordinary families in the North India. The dowry is event is where there is a huge requirement the bridegroom get millions of money as a dowry from the bride’s family depending upon the qualifications and education the bridegroom we may believe that the person dealing with dowry is a bad person. So we should not ask for dowry. But still happens all over India. The bridegroom should not have any intention that he should take the dowry from the bride as this is a very negative side. Dowry is mainly to promise to give the money to her husband. The treatment of the husband his wife is very bad. Parent cannot give enough dowries to wife husband as much he needs. But the husband should not ask dowry to spoil the girl’s life. So the reason for spoiling the girl life should not be dowry .The gift which is given to the girl from her parents it just for their happiness. They should not force the girl to marry. The girl need support from her parents to live peacefully with her husband. So there should strict rules and regulations for against the dowry and serious action should be taken against the family who is doing…

    • 260 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Dowry an Evil for Socitety

    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Earlier presents were given to the bride as well bridegroom out of love. It was given voluntarily and there was no compulsion exercised. It was also given to assist the newly-wedded couple to set up and establishment of their own without much difficulty and to provide financial security in the adverse circumstances. But with the passage of time, these customs instead of proving help to the couple has virtually corrupted the institution of marriage itself. Now it has taken the frightening name of dowry and bridegrooms engage in unfair means such as force and coercion for obtaining the dowry. Even education has failed to suppress and curb this social evil of dowry; rather it has increased its practice. The modern educated classes are demanding such a heavy dowry that it has become impossible for parents to give their daughters in marriage. They want to recover every penny spent on their…

    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Linguistic

    • 1332 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Apart from that, young women in Indian society are also mistreated due to dowry. Dowry plays a major role in an Indian wedding. Dowry is a traditional practice where the father of the bride gives a part of his properties to his daughter and son in law as the gift of the wedding. This practice turn to be a cruel action because if the bride's family fail to give the dowry that demand by the bridegroom’s family, then the wedding will be cancel off. In some cases brides are tortured by their husband and in- laws after the marriage because the bride’s families failed to prepare the dowry that demanded by them. For example, Thiruchelvam cancelled the wedding when Mr.Ramachandran told him that he is not…

    • 1332 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Arranged Marriages in India

    • 2506 Words
    • 11 Pages

    The groom’s family in the Indian tradition benefits from marriage because the bride’s family is required to pay some sort of dowry. A dowry is exchanged in a majority of Indian weddings, even ‘love’ marriages. Although its practice became illegal in 1961, dowry flourishes among all social classes. Families of the bride and groom negotiate transfer of assets to the groom and his family in exchange for marrying the bride, often within the context of an arranged marriage. For example a dowry can consist of money, property, vehicles or even cattle. If the bride’s family is deprived of these things and comes from poverty it could even be labor from the family members. Dissatisfaction with the amount of dowry may result in abuse of the bride. In extreme cases "dowry deaths" or the murder of the bride by her husband and his family take place (Rastogi, 2006).…

    • 2506 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Third, culture, parents could not rely on financial support from daughters after they are married and they would have to pay a dowry to the bride groom’ss parents.…

    • 708 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Domestic Violence in India

    • 2046 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Marriage for an Indian woman is not just the love and bonding with her husband it is about building strong bonds with every member of her husband’s family, when an Indian woman shifts from her parent’s home to her husband’s home, she also shifts her loyalties from her parents and siblings to her in-laws. Marriage for an Indian woman means the end of her already limited independence, it is the end of holding any individual social or economic status. For the sacrificial being that an Indian woman is expected to be, her only hope and expectation of finding love, respect and care from her husband is rarely ever met. Due to the large number of superstitious beliefs existing in the Indian society, the wife is usually considered the bringer of any kind of misfortune that comes by to her husband’s family, she is also blamed for any misunderstanding caused between the couple.…

    • 2046 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays

Related Topics