Dowry systems

The dowry system is a traditional practice where the bride’s family provides gifts, money, or property to the groom’s family at marriage. Originating as a way to ensure the wife’s security, it often involves significant financial or material exchange. While culturally rooted in certain societies, it can lead to social issues like financial burden on the bride’s family and, in some cases, exploitation or violence. Many regions have enacted laws to prevent dowry-related problems, emphasizing that marriage should be based on mutual consent and respect, free from material demands.