This document discusses dowry practices in India. It defines dowry as property given to a man or woman at marriage. The causes of dowry listed include pressure from the caste system, aspirations of marrying into wealth, false conceptions, heterogamous marriage systems, and the practice of child marriage. Arguments in favor of dowry include helping newlyweds start their family and providing marriage prospects for unattractive women. However, the document also lists evil effects such as economic burden, lowering women's status, child marriages, dowry harassment, and murders. Suggested remedial measures include propaganda against dowry, encouraging inter-caste marriage, education, and gender equity.

1. Dowry
Dr.Binu K
Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology
St. Mary’s College
Thrissur-680020
Kerala

2. Dowry,Dr.Binu K,St.Mary’s College
Definition
The property which a man receiving form his wife at the time of
marriage – Max Radin
The property that is given to a woman at the time of marriage-
Encyclopedia Britannica
Gifts and valuables received in marriage by the bride , the
bridegroom and his relatives- Rah Ahuja

3. Dowry,Dr.Binu K,St.Mary’s College
1. Pressure of the caste system
2. Aspiration to establish marital relationship with rich family
3. False conception
4. Heterogamous marriage system
5. dowry as a long standing social custom
6. Impact of the vicious circle which dowry
7. Practice of child marriage
Causes

4. Dowry,Dr.Binu K,St.Mary’s College
Dowry helps newly married couple to establish their family
Provides hopes of marriage for ugly looking girls
Supports higher education of poor boys
Increases the status of women in family
Promotes inter caste marriages
Arguments in favor of dowry

5. Dowry,Dr.Binu K,St.Mary’s College
Dowry causes great economic burden on brides family
Dowry lowers the status of women and damages her dignity
Dowry causing child marriages
Dowry harassment and murders
Dowry leading to immorality
Evil Effects of Dowry

6. Dowry,Dr.Binu K,St.Mary’s College
Propaganda and publicity against dowry
Creating public opinion and rousing social conscience
Encouraging inter-caste marriages
An appeal to the idealism of the youth
Role of voluntary associations
Education and Socialization
Gender equity
Remedial Measures