Dowry System Quiz

The Dowry System

• The dowry system is a practice where the bride's family gives gifts, usually in the form of money, goods, or property, to the groom's family upon marriage.

Impact on Women

• The dowry system is considered disgraceful for women because it objectifies them, implying that they are a commodity to be bought, and undermines their dignity and autonomy.

Reasons for Existence

• A main reason for the existence of the dowry system is the patriarchal values that perpetuate the notion that women are a burden on their families and that marrying them off is a way to transfer this burden to the husband's family.

Impact on Bride's Family

• The dowry system can lead to financial hardship for the bride's family, causing them to sacrifice their limited resources to fulfill the demands of the groom's family.

Domestic Violence

• Some husbands and their families may resort to mental and physical torture of their wives in the context of dowry, as a means to extort more gifts or money from the bride's family.

Societal Factors

• Societal factors that contribute to the perpetuation of the dowry system include:
  • Patriarchal values that prioritize male dominance
  • Gender stereotypes that view women as inferior
  • Lack of education and awareness about the negative impacts of the dowry system
  • Social pressure to conform to traditional practices
  • Economic inequality and instability that drives the demand for dowry

Test your knowledge on the dowry system, a custom where a wife or her family must pay money or property to her husband upon marriage. Learn about the reasons behind this abominable practice and its impact on women and society.