Dowry System

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An ancient system followed in India wherein, money or property is being expected or demanded by the groom's family from the brides family is called dowry sytem. Dowry is a means of lifelong security for the bride in her husband's place. Because this amount is meant to support her financially. This system is commonly practiced in many European and Asian countries. India being one among them.

In this system, the money or property from the wife's dowry is being administered by the husband . Though it has become part of family assets, it has to be kept separately to support her needs. Her children has the right to inherit this property. Meanwhile if she dies childless, the property reverts back to her family- her father or mother.

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In some cases, especially in the lower or middle class family, the demand is forcibly made by the groom's family for which the brides family adhere to. But in upperclass family, to keep up their status the brides family give a ransom amount and property to the groom.

Inspite of giving huge amount of dowry to the groom's family, domestic violence is in raise. Here, the brides father spend his lifetime earned income on his daughter's marriage, just for her happiness. But despite this fact, in most places once the marriage gets over, the bride is still forced by her in-laws and husband to demand more from her parents. If she fails to comply by their demand, she is brutally tortured physically and mentally resulting in suicide or burning. In India it has become quite a common scenario. This usually happens in the poor or middle class family.

On the contrary, there is this so called elite groups in the society, who focus on giving the maximum amount of cash and property. It becomes their prestige issue to give more. The more you give, the more you are in the limelight. This usually happens with Non residents, for whom the marriage is to be celebrated with great pomp by inviting celebrities. Further they introduce something new in marriages which in turn troubles an ordinary man. Cos new introductions in marriages will eventually be a continuation process irrespective of rich or poor.

The Indian government has imposed a law that taking or giving dowry is a punishable act. If this happens both the giver and taker is liable for severe punishment. But this falls in deaf ears. The brides father agrees to the demands made by the groom's family inorder to secure his daughter's safety. And this kind of movement is done secretly.

Not all men demand dowry. There are men who respect women, value their education a lot, keeps their self respect etc... such people are totally against dowry system. Respects to such men.

Dowry is called as "Dahej" in Indian official language. In our regional language we call it "sthreedhanam". Here "sthree" means "woman" and "dhanam" means "wealth". Which means there is a saying that "woman" herself self is a "wealth" then why anybody should go for more wealth.

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