The Evaluation of Dowry System

 

The Evaluation of Dowry System

 

When we talk about DOWRY systems, it is debated from decades in the society and still we can see the impact. The traces of the dowry system in India can be found from the Vedic Ages.

The Code of Manu sanctioned dowry and brides wealth in ancient India, but dowry was the more prestigious form and associated with the Brahman caste.

Dowries originally started as “love gifts” for the marriages of upper caste individuals, but during the medieval period, the demands for dowries became a precursor for marriage.

The demand for dowries spread to the lower caste, and became a prestige issue, with the system becoming rigid and expensive.

It is believed that in medieval times, it was a gift in cash or kind given to a bride by her family to maintain her independence after marriage.

During the colonial period, it became the only legal way to get married, with the British making the practice of dowry mandatory.

Dowry got more pronounced after the country achieved independence in 1947.

Although seeking a dowry has been outlawed in India since 1961, the ban has been a challenge to enforce.

The Dowry System in today’s scenario

While you think that Dowry system is still exist in India today, The function has changed, somewhat become an unspoken mandate and being viewed as something office bargaining chips when arranging marriage. The more educated a groom is, the more money his family can demand as a dowry. Parents start saving for daughters ‘Dowries from birth, placing a financial burden on families of low socio-economic background.

The dark side of the dowry in our society

The underbelly of the dowry system revolves around the treatment of Brides. Referred to "brides-burning” the act of maiming or even killing Brides whose family cannot or will not meet a grooms dowry demand in a worrying practise in India. The National Crime record Bureau reports that in 2010 alone there were 8391 Dowry related death in the country. Representing 0.1% increase from 2009 and almost double in number of dowries related Death record per year. And also a main cause of child girl death in India due to bad practise of dowry system we now a days.

Positive side of the society to stop bad practise of dowry

The blowout of the dowry system forced the government to take action in the middle of last century, introducing the anti-dowry at in 1961. which outlawed the giving and receiving of Dowry.  After introduction,  the act received little support and was not strongly enforced, to stop The illegal market of dowries.

It was not until later in the 20th century when women rights group were campaigning strongly against dowries and former Indian president in Indra Gandhi organised the marriage of her son without accepting a dowry from the Bride’s parents, that the public really took notice. Leading to an amendment of anti -dowry act in 1989 and public enforcement of the law. Among other  initiatives, the government established an all- female police taskforce  in 1992 set up with the sole purpose of investigating  dispute- related abuse or death.

There are more than 300 of these police taskforce across the country.

Lot of NGOs and social worker came in frond to help and fight against the dowry system and help the effected Women’s and girls and helped them socially and supported them.

In modern age misuse of anti dowry law that is also one dark side of the coin

If we flip a coin there are two sides of a coin assuming one side of a coin is positive impact and other side is negative impact.

All law are made to stop the bad practices in the society. But few people do misuse the laws as well like Dowry System, register fake complains against their inlaws and husband and ask for divorce and settlement money.

It is difficult to determine the exact cause

1.   Lack of formal education

2.   Conservative thinking

3.   Desire to flaunt social status

4.   Lowest status of woman

5.   How false sense of prestige

6.   Lack of knowledge about anti-dowry law

7.      Illiteracy and Ignorance

 

Effects of Dowry System:

1. Gender Discrimination

2. Violence against women

3. Declined social status and self-esteem of women

 

Laws in India:

1.  The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.

2.  The Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections.

3.  Section 113B of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872

 

Suggestions

Proper implementation of anti-dowry laws may help. In addition, misuse of such laws must be checked.

Women should be encouraged to become self-dependent and efforts should be made to make education accessible to every girl child.

Efforts to spread awareness should be made against dowry and dowry-related violence and women should be made aware of their rights. Awareness campaigns should be organised at school and local levels. People should be encouraged not to practice such traditions which harm women rather treat women at par with their male counterparts and help them live a dignified life.

Social practices like marriage within one’s caste or clan should be abolished so that there is the availability of a wide range of choices and women are not forced to enter into marriage with a person with dowry demands.

Conclusion

As we see, the problem of dowry is multi-faceted with several dimensions to be dealt with. The causes of dowry and its effects have grim implications for society. With women playing a major role in society, the onus lies with them as well to fight this social evil and help other women stand against it. Women education and their empowerment with change in the social mind set is the way forward.

 

Mahatma Gandhi said” any young man, who make dowry a condition to marriage, discredits his education and his country end dishonours womanhood”

 

I’m no one to point what is right and what is wrong our society everything has both good and bad side. I have just put forward all my thoughts and knowledge

What do you think about this what are your view and thought s do you have a better solution to break the chain?