NCJ Number
115974
Journal
Indian Journal of Social Work Volume: 49 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1988) Pages: 271-280
Date Published
1988
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article examines the Indian practice of dowry violence in which in-laws mistreat their sons' brides in order to obtain more money or valuable property from the bride's family or express their disapproval of the dowry provided by the bride's family.
Abstract
Violence is often perpetrated on a bride if her parents haven't met the bridegroom's family's demands for dowry, if they withhold part of the dowry, or if the dowry does not satisfy the bridegroom's family. Many dowry disputes end with the bride's death (often by burning) or with her suicide. Studies show that many dowry victims are young, dependent, and uneducated women in the early years of marriage. In order to outlaw dowry violence against women and to make the prosecution of such crimes easier, the Indian government has amended its Penal and Criminal Procedure Codes. In addition, the Dowry Prohibition (amendment) Act, 1984 made the offense cognizable while at the same time broadening the definition of dowry. The deterrent effect of the legislation has not yet been felt, and the authors argue that voluntary social pressures must be brought to prevent dowry-related violence against women. 20 references.