DOWRY SYSTEM IN PAKISTANI SOCIETY

This article was originally published in Voice of Journalists, by Mahpara Liaqat. You can read it here.

A dowry is a transfer of parental property at the marriage of a daughter. It includes furniture, linen, money etc. Dowry contrasts with the related concept of bride price. It is the wealth transferred from the bride’s family to the groom or his family. Bride price or bride service is a payment by the groom or his family to the bride’s parents. Disputes related to dowry sometimes result in acts of violence against the women including killing and acid attacks.

The concept of dowry was common in Europe until the 19^th century and is still important in Islamic world. Pakistan adopted the dowry system from Indian culture. In recent years, there has been an increased in the value of dowries in Pakistan.

The upper class of our society gives dowry according to their own status. They provide the things from basic needs to the things which come in luxuries including luxury cars, luxury bungalows. They show off to the people. The class of poor people they are being grinded in the competition of dowry. They did not marry their daughter.

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