Scenario of Dowry in Rural Punjab - Perceptions and Suggestions

The phenomenon of dowry remained an integral part of marriage in India since time immemorial. In general, dowry is defined as offering of gifts, money and valuables given by bride’s family to that of groom to permit their marriage. The rural sector of Punjab has been witnessing sharp increase of spending on dowry. Demonstration effects have engulfed all sections and communities in the vicious circle of ‘increased dowry’. Dowry death is one of the most heinous crimes against the women. So this paper is planned to study the perceptions about the dowry consideration as well as suggestions to curb this trigger. The present study was conducted in Rural Punjab by taking three socio-cultural zones that is Malwa, Doaba and Majha into an account. So, in all 360 families were taken accounting for 360 mothers-in-law (G1) and 360 daughters-in-law (G2). As regard to the perception of the respondents regarding the things that make them feel happy at their in-laws house, less than half of G1 respondents felt that their good nature made them feel happy at their in-laws house followed by their intelligence whereas majority (60.83 per cent) of the respondents stated that dowry made them feel happy at in-laws family. People perceived dowry as social evil yet they recognize dowry for achieving long term relationship and achieve healthy marriage. The new phenomenon of “reversal trend” came into light, as, now grooms were ready to pay dowry for the brides who were settled abroad and for the girls who were eligible to settle abroad either on student visa or on permanent residency. On the issue of controlling the curbing the phenomenon of dowry most of G1 respondents were of the view that the dowry practice could be controlled by spreading awareness against dowry followed by Government interventions whereas G2 respondents viewed by raising pressure through NGO’s and Panchayats followed by educating girls could help to control this problem.