Dowry system is followed in India since a very long time. Our ancestors started this system for
valid reasons but now it is leading to issues and problems in society. In this essay on dowry, we
will see what dowry exactly is, how it started, and why it should be stopped now.

History of Dowry
Dowry system started even before the British period. In those days, society does not use to
consider dowry as a “Money” or “Fee” you have to pay to be bride’s parents.
The idea behind the dowry system was, to make sure the bride will be financially stable after
getting married. The intentions were very clear. Brides parents used to give money, land, assets
to the bride as a “Gift” to make sure their daughter will be happy and independent after marriage.

But when British rule came into the picture, they restricted women to own any property. Women
were not allowed to buy any property, land or assets. Hence, men started owning all the “Gifts”
given to the bride by her parents. This rule changed pure dowry system into a mess! Now parents of the bride were looking at their bride as a source of income. Parents started hating their daughters and wanted only sons. They started demanding money as a dowry. Women were suppressed since they did not have equal rights as men. And since then, grooms parents follow this rule to their advantage.

Why the Dowry System should be stopped?
The new dowry system is creating problems in society. Poor parents do not get any groom who
will marry their daughter without taking dowry. They have to take “Marriage Loans” to get their
daughter married.
Dowry is becoming a nightmare for Women. The cases of infanticide are increasing. Poor
parents do not have any other option. They cannot afford to have a girl child, and hence they are
intentionally killing infant girl. More than 8000 women are killed because of Dowry!
It is very clear that Dowry is creating violence. Groom’s parents are misusing this pure tradition.
And they are not aware that they are misusing it, because they are not educated about the
traditional dowry system. Everyone is just following the new dowry system blindly.
Dowry is complete injustice with women and does not give women equal status in society.
Because of dowry men will always be superior to women. This is creating a mess and negative
environment in society.

Under the Dowry Prohibition Act, taking or giving dowry is a crime and illegal. If you see
someone taking or giving dowry then you can lodge a complaint against them.

Conclusion
Dowry system is good unless and until it is considered as a gift given to the bride by her parents.
If the groom’s parents are demanding money to get married as a “Dowry” then that is completely
wrong and illegal.

Aishwarya Says:

I have always been against Glorifying Over Work and therefore, in the year 2021, I have decided to launch this campaign “Balancing Life”and talk about this wrong practice, that we have been following since last few years. I will be talking to and interviewing around 1 lakh people in the coming 2021 and publish their interview regarding their opinion on glamourising Over Work.

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