Definition of Dowry – Behavioral sciences explore the cognitive processes within organisms and the behavioral interactions between organisms in the natural world. It involves the systematic analysis and investigation of human and animal behavior through the study of the past, controlled and naturalistic observation of the present and disciplined scientific experimentation and modeling.
It attempts to accomplish legitimate, objective conclusions through rigorous formulations and observation. Generally, behavior science deals primarily with human action and often seeks to generalize about human behavior as it relates to society.
Definition of Dowry
Dowry means property or money given by a bride to her husband on condition when they get married. As far as known, dowry was a social custom in the ancient time. But now it has spread all over of our society as a social curse. It is hampering our social peace and happiness. At present no guardian can think of his daughter’s marriage without giving dowry.
There are some causes behind this evil practice of dowry. Among them greed for money of some people is the main cause. The other causes are illiteracy, poverty, unconsciousness, unemployment, etc.
In our society, there are some greedy people who claim much wealth or money from the guardians of the brides. If guardians fail to fulfill their demand, they threaten to divorce or torture women brutally. Consequently, many married women and girls take the path of suicide.
Many women go back to their father’s home forever. In fact, it is all consuming poverty that makes our bridegrooms shameless to demand dowry from our brides during marriage.
Every year many innocent married women and girls are becoming victims to this evil system of dowry. So, this evil system of dowry must be uprooted at any cost as it can never bring happiness to the married women. Rather, it makes our women like animals and products.
We must take all measures to prevent it immediately. We should develop public awareness to eradicate the evil practice of dowry at first. Besides, our girls should be properly educated and employed. They should be made conscious of their rights and duties. In this case our young generation should come forward to wipe out this heinous system.
Besides, our government should make strict law and implement it rigorously. Herewith, our people should change their mentality so that we can get rid of this abominable system. Let us raise our voice strongly to establish a dowry-free, happy and peaceable society.
Encyclopedia: Britannica (volume VII)
“Dowry is the property which a woman brings with her or is given to her at marriage.
Webster’s New World Dictionary:
“The money goods or estate which women bring to her husband in marriage.
Max Radin.
Dowry is “the property which a man receives from his wife or her family at the time of marriage.
Causes of Dowry in Bangladesh
- Poverty is the main causes behind dowry because most of the people in Bangladeshi are poor. They often take dowry to reduce their Poverty.
- Because of the Illiteracy, most the people are unaware of effect of dowry.
- Narrow mentality behind the dowry system.
- Negative attitude towards the women
- Lack of women’s Education in Families is the reason for giving dowry.
- Lack of decision making power of women’s in family because in Bangladesh families are ruled by father Because of that the position of woman in a family is much disagreed.
- Women are less independent then men. In Bangladesh; most of the women are housewives and have less economic power to control the family. Because of dependency women become a burden in a family
- Sometime bridegroom wants money to do business or want to make his life settle with that money.
- In a town, people think that giving dowry in a marriage creating more status in society.
- Women spend a good life in husbands house if dowry paid in marriage.
- In a village, most of the people think Dowry is their legal right which has to pay the daughters family in a marriage.
- In a village, Poor parents consider any expenses for educating a girl unproductive as she leaves their family after marriage.
- In the village if brides are not beautiful to look at or if they get late married then they are to give a lot of money as dowry to the bridegroom.
- The giving of a dower seems to be an established Bangladeshi cultural institution. The wife is expected to bring suitable gifts (monetary or otherwise) with her to her new home or shoshurbari.
- Dependence on husband and living on their income, social corruption and so on are the main causes of dowry
Prevention/Suggestion to Control Dowry
A. Encourage inter caste and intercommunity marriage:
By following intercaste and intercommunity marriages, the difficulty of finding a mate within one’s own caste? Community is removed. When there is wide range of choice and also freedom to choose, demands for dowry may come down.
B. Girls should be educated and economically independent:
If a girl is educated and employed, she is more confident and equipped to resist the demands for dowry. Such a girl may even refuse a man who demands dowry.
C. Encourage boys to stand on their own legs and then marry:
Generally, it is due to the economic dependence of the boys and their parents that they also become a party to the demand for dowry.
D. More effective legislation:
The present legislation cannot deliver the goods. Dowry should be made a cognizable prime and even gives should ne band.
E. Equal right to girls on father’s property:
If girls are also given equal share of fathers property (like as sons) the questions of dowry will not arise. This will farther enhance the status of female child in the family and society.
F. Young people should pledge against taking or giving dory:
If young man decide that they will not take dowry under any circumstances and resist there parent’s demands, dis evil can be eradicated easily. Similarly, if young women decide not to marry those people who demand dowry, the problem can be solved.
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