Dowry and Its Causes

Dowry refers to any property or valuable security given directly or indirectly to the parents and family of the bridegroom. In other words, the property in terms of cash or kind that a bridegroom receives from his wife or her family at the time of marriage is called ‘dowry’.

Since ancient time the practice of ‘give away’ (Kanyadan) of bride is considered as an important religious duty of the parents. This led to the beginning of the practice of giving gifts to the family of the bridegroom at the time of marriage. Gradually dowry system gained its importance and came into existence.

The property in terms of cash or kind that supported woman to live happily with her husband at his house is called `streedhan’. A part of father’s wealth was given to the daughter at the time of marriage to secure her financial stability and help her to lead a comfortable life at husband’s house. Such practice resulted into a habit that the bride should bring some material goods or wealth from her parents’ house after marriage.

Earlier due to the existence of caste system in society, there was a limited scope of choosing a life partner. For getting suitable bridegroom from one’s own caste and sub-caste, parents of girls gave costly and valuable gifts to bridegroom’s family. Thus, this tendency encouraged bridegroom’s family to demand more. Later, a kind of competition among the parents of bride started to get best bridegroom for their daughters. This encouraged the family of bridegroom to take advantage of the situation and demanded unreasonable dowry.

There was a tendency among middle and lower caste people to imitate the rich people in giving dowry. They desired to display their riches and make married life of their daughter happy and prosperous.

Even today, some parents are ready to spend more money and give higher amount of dowry to bridegroom’s family because they expect their sun-in-law to be highly educated, well matched, better earner, good character and well cultured. Thus, bridegroom’s family demands maximum dowry, by taking advantage of the situation.

Although dowry is legally prohibited, taking and giving more and more dowry is regarded as a symbol of prestige among the rural people. Dowry is given and taken to express one’s social status. Higher dowry is demanded by the bridegroom’s parents in order to compensate the dowry, which they gave at the time of their daughter’s marriage. They think that it is their right to demand dowry at the time of their son’s marriage. This has increased the practice of dowry system.

There is a belief that it is the responsibility of bride’s parents to help newly married couple by giving dowry. People demand dowry because it is believed that the bride herself will use goods, gifts and cash. As Indians are custom bound by nature, some still follow legally prohibited dowry system. Higher dowry is demanded if the girl has unpleasant looks and is physically challenged. Parents of such girls have no other choice but to fulfil the demands of bridegroom’s family. This further increases the practice of dowry system.