The practice of dowry system in India dates back to the Vedic period. Where parents would provide their daughter with wealth, jewelry and property at the time of marriage to ensure her economic security and dignified life in her new home. This tradition was seen as a noble and socially beneficial duty.
Table of Contents
It is said that God bestows good fortune only on those in whose families daughters are born.
Their tiny feets are actually called the feets of Mother Lakshmi who beautifies the family with wealth and grains. That’s why on the arrival of the daughter everyone says congratulations Lakshmi has come to the house but when the time comes for the same daughter’s marriage.
The first question that arises is how much dowry is to be given.
It is really very surprising that for the marriage of his girl, a father has to bargain with the groom’s family.
Is it a Blessing or Curse?
The dowry system in India is a long-standing tradition in our society and has been considered the cornerstone of marital life for centuries. But in today’s modern and progressive era, is this practice a blessing or a curse? In this blog, let’s delve into this tradition and understand its various aspects.
Dowry System: Present Perspective
In contemporary times, the nature and purpose of the dowry system have both become distorted. Today, this practice has emerged as a financial burden and a social evil. The increasing demand for dowry and the atrocities that occur when these demands are not met have turned this tradition into a curse.
Advantages of the Dowry System in India
- Economic Security: it is assumed that when given with the right intentions and in appropriate amounts, dowry can provide economic security to the newlywed couple, helping them achieve financial stability at the beginning of their new life.
- Social Recognition: It is also an assumption in some societies that giving dowry enhances the family’s reputation and garners respect within the community.
Disadvantages of the Dowry System in India
- Economic Burden: The dowry system has become a significant financial burden for many families. For poor and middle-class families, it is a major concern as they struggle to gather enough wealth for their daughter’s marriage.
- Atrocities against Women: Many women face physical and mental abuse when dowry demands are not met. In extreme cases, this abuse leads to dowry deaths and suicides.
- Impact on Gender Ratio: Due to the dowry system, daughters are often seen as a burden, leading to practices like gender selection and female foeticide. This skews the gender ratio in society.
- Social Inequality: The dowry system promotes inequality in society. It widens the economic gap between rich and poor families.
- Delayed Marriages: Rising dowry demands cause unnecessary delays in marriages, as parents struggle to accumulate the required dowry.
It is said that God creates couples, so why do we change the form of this divine relationship by adding transaction business to it. In earlier times there was a tradition of giving gifts etc. to the girl during marriage, but it always depended on what the father wanted to give as a gift. But we did not realize when this trend became a tradition and then changed out of necessity. Today the era has changed, the lifestyle has changed but instead of ending the dowry system, it is becoming stronger every day. Today, a father makes his children self-reliant by educating them and spends diligently on their higher education, but when it comes to their marriage. Why does the groom’s side always have the upper hand?
Raising Awareness against the Dowry System in India
Creating social awareness is crucial for the eradication of the dowry system. We must spread awareness about the evils of dowry and recognize it as a social ill. The following steps can be taken in this direction:
- Education and Literacy: Promoting education and literacy for both women and men is essential. Educated individuals are more aware and sensitive to the issue of dowry.
- Social Campaigns: Social campaigns against dowry should be conducted, with active participation from panchayats, village councils, and social organizations.
- Positive Examples: Encouraging and honoring families that conduct marriages without dowry can set positive examples in society.
- Legal Action: Strict legal action should be ensured in cases of dowry. The police and judicial system need to be strengthened and sensitized to handle such cases effectively.
Our question to the Community:
When a daughter who is educated and self-reliant, why should she have to pay dowry to find a life partner. Whereas today both husband and wife earn together and can also take up the responsibilities of the family.
Conclusion
The dowry system in India has become a burden or curse in today’s society. To eliminate it, every section of society must work together. Through education, awareness and legal action, we can eradicate this practice from its roots. Marriage should be recognized as a sacred bond based on love, respect and equality rather than a pure financial transaction.
So let us all come together to build a dowry-free society and take steps towards a new, progressive, and just India.
In our other blog, we have also covered and highlighted on the fake dowry cases in India and its complications so that we can share a general idea on both the fake dowry cases and dowry system in India.
For our other work you may please visit our other website and we are confident that you will like our work.