Title: Dowry – The Never Ending Curse
Author: Praful Uttareshwar Landge
Roll No: 0225025
Literature Review:
1. Sridhan (Dowry) Is a Social Crime in Our Society:
Kumar (2018) explains in “Sridhan (Dowry) Is a Social Crime in Our Society” that dowry has moved far from its original meaning of voluntary gifts and has become a forced social practice. It damages women’s dignity and reduces marriage to a financial transaction. The article highlights how dowry encourages greed, emotional abuse, and physical violence. It also points out that even educated families continue this practice because of social pressure and status competition.
2. A Study on the Impact of Dowry in the Society of India: Exploring the Functional Perspective of Dowry in India:
Sharma (2019) in “A Study on the Impact of Dowry in the Society of India: Exploring the Functional Perspective of Dowry in India” describes dowry from a structural and economic perspective. The article discusses how dowry is often justified as a cultural tradition but actually reinforces patriarchy and economic inequality. Families see dowry as social security for daughters, yet it increases financial burden and discrimination against girl children.
3. A Study on the Impact of Dowry System in India:
Ravi and Priya (2020) in “A Study on the Impact of Dowry System in India” present field based findings from Chennai. The authors show that dowry leads to harassment, domestic violence, and mental stress among women. Families often fall into debt due to dowry demands. The paper clearly connects dowry with gender inequality and social injustice.
4. Domestic Violence and Dowry: Evidence from a South Indian Village:
Srinivasan and Bedi (2007) in “Domestic Violence and Dowry: Evidence from a South Indian Village” examine how dowry payments are directly linked with domestic abuse. When dowry expectations are not met, women face emotional and physical violence. The authors show statistical evidence that higher dowry demands increase the risk of violence after marriage.
5. Dowry, Its Causes and Consequences: A Sociological Study of Dowry Harassment and Death Cases in Aligarh District:
Ali (2016) in “Dowry, its Causes and Consequences: A Sociological Study of Dowry Harassment and Death Cases in Aligarh District” discusses real cases of dowry harassment and deaths. The article explains how greed, lack of education, and weak law enforcement contribute to dowry crimes. Many women suffer silently due to fear of social shame.
6. Community Perception Towards Dowry Practice and Its Economic Consequences:
Khan (2021) in “Community Perception Towards Dowry Practice and Its Economic Consequences” focuses on Pakistan and explains how dowry affects both families and society economically. People consider dowry a status symbol, which increases social competition. Poor families struggle financially, and daughters are seen as economic burdens.
7. Dowry System in India: A Socio-Legal Approach:
Patel (2017) in “Dowry System in India: A Socio-Legal Approach” examines Indian laws such as the Dowry Prohibition Act. Even though legal frameworks exist, implementation remains weak. Social acceptance of dowry makes it difficult to eliminate. Legal reforms alone are not enough without social awareness.
8. Dowry in 21st-Century India: The Sociocultural Face of Exploitation:
Rao (2013) in “Dowry in 21st-Century India: The Sociocultural Face of Exploitation” explains how dowry continues even in modern urban India. Education and employment have not completely removed this practice. Dowry still leads to emotional trauma, exploitation, and in some cases, bride burning.
9. Dowry-Related Domestic Violence in India: A Sociological Analysis of Causes, Consequences, and Legal Remedies in the Post-COVID Context:
Mehta (2022) in “Dowry-Related Domestic Violence in India: A Sociological Analysis of Causes, Consequences, and Legal Remedies in the Post-COVID Context” highlights how economic stress during COVID-19 increased dowry-related abuse. Lockdowns made women more vulnerable. The article suggests stronger legal enforcement and community-level awareness programs.
10. Dowry Deaths: A Neglected Public Health Issue in India:
Kumar and Singh (2010) in “Dowry Deaths: A Neglected Public Health Issue in India” approach dowry deaths as a serious public health crisis. The article shows that thousands of women die every year due to dowry-related violence. The authors argue that dowry should not only be seen as a social issue but also as a health and human rights concern.
Conclusion:
Dowry continues to be a deeply rooted social problem in South Asia. Although laws exist to prohibit dowry, social acceptance and patriarchal attitudes keep the system alive. The reviewed articles show that dowry leads to economic exploitation, domestic violence, mental trauma, and even death. Education, strict legal enforcement, social awareness, and gender equality are essential to eliminate this “never ending curse.” Without collective social reform, dowry will continue to harm women and families across generations.
References:
Ali, S. (2016). Dowry, its causes and consequences: A sociological study of dowry harassment and death cases in Aligarh District. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management, 4(5), pp. 4123-4130.
Khan, R. (2021). Community perception towards dowry practice and its economic consequences. Russian Law Journal, 9(2), pp. 215-223.
Kumar, R. (2018). Sridhan (Dowry) is a social crime in our society. Jamal Academic Research Journal, 5(1), pp. 45-52.
Kumar, V. and Singh, P. (2010). Dowry deaths: A neglected public health issue in India. International Health, 2(1), pp. 35-43.
Mehta, A. (2022). Dowry-related domestic violence in India: A sociological analysis of causes, consequences, and legal remedies in the post-COVID context. Economic Sciences Journal, 11(3), pp. 78-90.
Patel, M. (2017). Dowry system in India: A socio-legal approach. Journal of the Gujarat Research Society, 21(4), pp. 102-110.
Rao, S. (2013). Dowry in 21st-century India: The sociocultural face of exploitation. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 14(2), pp. 98-110.
Ravi, L. and Priya, K. (2020). A study on the impact of dowry system in India. Library Progress International, 40(2), pp. 150-158.
Sharma, P. (2019). A study on the impact of dowry in the society of India: Exploring the functional perspective of dowry in India. Journal of Advances and Scholarly Researches in Allied Education, 16(4), pp. 220-228.
Srinivasan, S. and Bedi, A. (2007). Domestic violence and dowry: Evidence from a South Indian village. World Development, 35(5), pp. 857-880.