Price Tag on Daughters! - Dowry System in India

Did you know that in India, a woman dies from dowry-related violence every 2 hours? That’s right, according to the National Crime Records Bureau, dowry demands and abuse claim the lives of over 6450 women annually.

The dowry system, a tradition where the bride’s family provides gifts, cash, or property to the groom’s family, has a dark side. Although the purpose is to secure the bride’s future, it often has dire consequences. Is this custom a symbol of good wishes, or a dangerous burden placed on families?

About Dowry System

The dowry system is a traditional practice in some cultures, particularly in South Asia, where the bride’s family presents gifts, cash, or property to the groom’s family at the time of marriage. Gift includes – cash, gold, property and vehicle. The dowry system in India is a serious social issue that has led to widespread violence and deaths of women.

Here are some stats to shed light on this issue:

From January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2014, 91,202 dowry deaths were reported in the country.
In 2013, 8,083 dowry deaths were reported in India according to the Union Home Ministry statistics
In 2019, India reported more than 7,100 dowry death cases
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) of India, there were 6,966 dowry deaths reported in 2020.
In 2021, India reported nearly 6,800 dowry death cases, a decline from 2020.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data shows that the average annual dowry deaths fell from 8,005 during 2012-16 to 7,093 during 2017-21.
In 2022, the northern state of Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of reported dowry deaths with over 2,200 cases, followed by Bihar with 1,000 cases. Together, these two states accounted for nearly 48% of the total dowry deaths in India.
In 2022, the number of cases registered under the Dowry Prohibition Act, of 1961 in Jharkhand was 1,844, the highest rate in the country at 9.4% per 100,000 population.
In 2022, the total number of death cases registered under the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961, was 6450, investigated cases were 312, and death caused due to dowry was 3499.
54416 dowry death cases are still pending.

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Causes For Dowry System

Traditionally, dowry provides brides with some financial stability. With limited property rights, the dowry ensured that they had resources in their new life.
The system reinforces the idea that daughters are a financial burden on families. Dowries are seen as compensation.
In a male-dominated society, dowry may be seen as a way to secure a “better” husband for a daughter.
Over time, dowry became a way for the groom’s family to claim wealth and social prestige. A large dowry meant high status.
Despite the lack of modern justification, the dowry system may continue simply because “it’s the way it’s always been”.
Families may feel pressured by social expectations to provide a dowry, fearing criticism from relatives and neighbours.
Limited educational and career opportunities for women may make dowry necessary to secure their future.
In some cases, dowry demands become excessive, with the groom’s family taking advantage of the situation for financial gain.
Dowries can be seen as a bride’s “contribution” to the marriage, distorting the true meaning of partnership.
Ineffective implementation of anti-dowry laws allows the practice to continue despite it being illegal.

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Negative Aspects of the Dowry System

The dowry system places heavy financial pressure on the bride’s family, often leading to debt or even poverty.
Dowry demands can lead to violence and abuse against women who are unable to meet expectations.
This reinforces the idea that women are an economic burden, not valuable family members.
Greedy men can take advantage of the system by marrying multiple times for dowry, which can worsen the situation of women.
To avoid dowry costs, some families resort to sex-selective abortion or female foeticide, leading to a decline in the sex ratio.
The pressure and fear associated with dowry can cause severe mental stress and anxiety for brides and their families.
It turns marriage into a financial transaction, diminishing the importance of love and compatibility.
Families may prioritize saving for dowry rather than investing in their daughters’ education and future.
This system creates distrust and tension between families, which harms social harmony.

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History of the Dowry System

The dowry system has ancient roots in India, with mentions of it in Hindu scriptures (1500-500 BCE) like the Vedas. Initially, it was seen as a way to provide financial security for women who could not inherit property.
Over time, things changed. By the medieval period, dowry became more about social status. Upper castes started giving grand dowries to showcase their wealth and social standing.
British rule in India (1858-1947) further impacted the dowry system. Colonial laws restricted women’s property rights, making dowries even more important for a bride’s financial security.
After India’s independence in 1947, the Dowry system took a negative turn. The dowry became excessive and became a burden on the bride’s family. In some cases, families faced extortion and violence if dowry demands were not met.
The government passed the Dowry Prohibition Act in 1961 to make the demanding or giving of dowry a criminal offense. This practice continues in many parts of India, highlighting the deep social roots of the issue.
In modern India, the Dowry system is illegal. But some hidden practices still exist.
These may be hidden gifts to the groom’s family or an unequal sharing of the wedding costs where the bride’s side bears the bigger burden.
Things are changing now. Ideally, couples should divide wedding expenses fairly, otherwise the contribution will go towards building their life together rather than the groom’s family. Marriages should be about love and respect, not financial transactions.

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