Understanding the Link Between Dowry and Domestic Violence

WHAT IS DOWRY?

Firstly, we’ll discuss what is dowry.

A dowry is a kind of thing that bride’s parents give to her as gifts but sometimes the groom’s family demands it and it will give burden the bride’s family.

Dowry is one of the things that daughters are viewed as a burden for them and it is likely to be viewed in a country like India. Girls not only face physical as well as psychological and verbal abuse as well and it affects their life very seriously. Their value is being judged based on the number of things their parents gave or if her parents are unable to fulfill their needs and desires then her in-laws criticize her or abuse her whether it is verbally or physically. Her spouse plays a very serious role in all these scenarios because if he is supportive and doesn’t support dowry or these kinds of demands then no one can abuse her or do bad to her. Her spouse always plays a very significant role in giving her respect in his house.

A very important question came to everyone’s mind:

DOES THIS ALL HAPPENS IN JUST ILLITERATE FAMILIES OR Nonfictional ONE ALSO DOES THAT?

So, here is the answer from many types of research and by observation, this not only happens in the families that are not literate but also in the well-known and literate families, they just don’t portray them in that way. Many girls face criticism and verbal abuse in well-known and good families as well. This is the cruel act that most families do.

WHAT TYPE OF HARASSMENT IS DOWRY?

Cruelty is the form of torture or importunity of a woman with the idea of forcing her to meet a demand for property and other effects, that’s all considered as a security crime. In many cases, the cruelty may even force the woman to commit suicide.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF DOWRY?

Dowry leads to harassment and murders, women are ill-treated, disrespected, and tortured by men and their families as well. Tragic women of dowry had been seen, in all this scenario newly married girls are the victim of all this.

Dowry is just a social wrong in our society that has caused inconceivable tortures and crimes women face. Girls face so much disrespect because their parents are unable to fulfill their demands. Some in-laws just don’t even demand it earlier but think that the bride’s parents could fulfill their needs on their own. They treat her badly and always criticize her for the small things. These peoples are not poor but they have a poor mindset. It is the dowry system that daughters are not treated as well as sons. Parents also feel the burden as the daughter is born just because of these kinds of norms. And these kinds of norms should be omitted in our society. If parents give their daughter something with their heart and without the demand that is another thing also her in-laws won’t make faces after seeing the stuff because these things belong to her and are given to her as a gift.

The main factor of dowry demand is greed factor. These kinds of people are so much greedy and just because of their greed the girl has to suffer so much. And in all these, if the demand will not be fulfilled then the marriage will be called off or often leads to domestic violence. Some cruel people make the girl mentally sick and make her emotionally weak.

SHOULD GIRLS TAKE A STAND IN THIS SITUATION?

The answer is “YES”, she should take serious action regarding this because this all not only destroy her life but the future generation also. But in this case, she needs support which should be given by the bride’s side. It is not like she should file for a divorce or something like that but should take a stand for that so the other girls also get strength and will become brave and take a step for themselves.

SHOULD SPOUSES PLAY A ROLE IN ALL THIS?

Yes, her spouse plays a very important role in all this, he can stop it by supporting her. Because she came here just because of him and she wants his support. Evils are everywhere, you should be an angel for her.

PUNISHMENT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE

Punishment for domestic violence cases is imprisonment for three years and a fine. This is not compulsory that the person who is the victim should file a case but any relative or eye-witness who see all the scenario could complain on behalf of her.

HOW CAN WE STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR THE DOWRY SYSTEM?

The answer to this question is very simple, we can stop it by changing ourselves because we want to change or remove it from our society and we are the society, that can change this type of thinking and cruelty that every 3 of 1 girl face.

We can also stop it by watching our neighborhood that if anything bad happening there or not. Try to save people, try to make them understand that this is not the right thing to do or especially educate them if you are close to them and can make them understand.

Domestic violence should be stopped because the number of suicide cases and abuse are being raised day by day and it is not good. Some of the chronic problems such as depression also include in this situation, and lack their abilities and attack them seriously. Because domestic violence could affect the person’s feelings and behavior. This often leads to making a normal person a depressed one and this could impact her mental stability.

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

It is much important to talk about domestic violence because if we don’t talk about it most people don’t get aware of it and it’ll never come to an end. And to prevent people who are suffering from all this no matter if they’re your family member, friend circle, co-worker, or any other people whom you might even don’t know but it’s your responsibility as a responsible citizen to help them and urgently take an action towards these kinds of evil.

Now, I want to conclude my topic by saying that don’t be crucial and don’t ignore the bad. Be the person you want. If you can bear violence so be that kind of person but no we don’t want it for our loved ones, we want peace for them and us also so why do we become violent for others’ daughters? Try to be a nice person not for your family but for your society too. Dowry is just a word for the groom’s side but it took the whole life of a bride’s father to collect. We can also accept what they give happily or we can stop it by taking the first step towards “say no to dowry” so that no one could suffer just because of this. Noting is impossible just make it simple. Be a good person for yourself. Domestic violence is not a small thing, if you’re violent with someone then you’re also frustrated and you need to overcome it. Don’t be harsh with anyone just try to solve every situation and problem peacefully.