What is the reason behind dowry?

One of the basic functions of a dowry has been to serve as a form of protection for the wife against the very real possibility of ill treatment by her husband and his family.

Why does dowry still exist in India?

An ancient custom, dowry is a payment made from the bride’s family to the groom’s. It still exists today in spite of being prohibited by the Indian law under Section 304B, IPC 1860. One reason that dowry still exists is that it is perceived as a source of easy income by the groom’s family.

What is the disadvantage of dowry?

Disadvantages of Dowry System in India. Practice of dowry which assumed the form of an institution over the years has caused lots of hardship to large number of people in the Indian society. It reduces the sacred institution of marriage to business transaction.

Is dowry still common in our society nowadays?

It still exists today in spite of being prohibited by the Indian law under Section 304B, IPC 1860. The reason for the prohibition of dowry was primarily the violent nature the custom took, leading to several women being harassed and even killed.

Is asking dowry a crime?

Asking of dowry is a crime even before the marriage and Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 will be applicable on these cases also. Taking or giving of a dowry is also a crime and punishable on both the parties. You can also report the matter to the Dowry Protection Officer.

What is the meaning of dowry in India?

Dowry Killings in India. A dowry is the money or a property that a woman brings to her husband’s family at the time of their marriage. Traditionally, dowries in India were meant to ensure that the bride was financially secure after her marriage and were seen as a type of inheritance from the bride’s parents to the bride.

Is dowdowry legal in India?

Dowry was officially made illegal in India in 1961 with the establishment of the Dowry Prohibition Act, but many families among all social classes continue the practice of giving a dowry today.

Is education the answer to India’s dowry crisis?

Social and economic realities do little to keep it in check. Kashmiri Muslim students march during International Women’s Day in Srinagar, India, on March 8, 2012. Often, education is touted as the cure-all for social malaises and inequalities. But research shows that educated grooms tend to demand higher dowries.

What is a “dowry killings”?

Dowry killings are when a wife is killed because her parents are unable to fulfill all of the demands of the husband’s family, and these killings are unfortunately extremely common.