What happens to the Dowry?

One of the major issues in the middle class families is the

lack of dowry in love marriages-even in cross cousin
marriages(traditionally accepted in South India)!
For some, love marriage is an easy way out but it comes
with low social prestige.
But to look at the brighter side and potentially changing
situations of love marriages, the boys side might give to
the brides side, thus inverting the usual model.
The prevalence of dowry in upper class families can be
attributed to their paying capacity and the possibility of it
reducing her daughters possible suffering in the affinal
home. Also, it is a way of demonstrating love and care for
their daughters.
The situation somewhat changes when the girl is educated
and their ability to earn money may be taken into account
in the marriage bargain, especially in South India.

Dowry: North India vs. South India

In South India, cross cousin marriages were
prevalent whereas in the North, such unions are
considered undesirable and incestuous. But this
has stopped even in South India who have
become aware of biological complications in the
offspring.
The attraction of cross cousin marriages may be
due to the emotional values-that such marriages
strengthen affinal ties, and also that dowry is not
expected in such cases.
But though the absence of dowry may be an
attraction, it may simultaneously be a burden in
different ways.

Conclusion
Education, schooling, new technologies are
increasingly facilitating controlled lives and
environments of the middle-class Indians.
Arranged-cum-love marriages are becoming
popular among the urban youth. The young are
finding ways of making their influence felt in
marriage negotiations.
In this changing scenario, the most affected are
young women, who have to handle various
pressures-gender, wealth and prestige. They are
the ones who carry the heaviest burden of rapid
social change. They embody a changing India.

THANK YOU