The Historical Roots of Dowries in Contemporary Kerala
Author
Summary, in English
Dowry payments from the family of the bride to that of the groom were rarely encountered in Kerala during the early twentieth century, but now are almost universal. Based on an examination of historical documents, including legislative debates, court cases, and reports, the way dowry was explained in the past is compared with the results of 200 contemporary interviews to determine its current rationale. Nowadays, making an obligatory payment for the maintenance of a wife, adherence to a social norm, and guaranteeing a woman's good treatment have displaced earlier arguments related to inheritance, status in the social hierarchy, or a woman's ability to provide for herself. Although several blurred traditions have been cited to account for dowries, they seem to have flourished in times of social inequity and uncertainty: the 1930s, 1970s, and 1990s. The emphasis on patriarchal nuclear families has created a mentality that a woman must pay for the privilege of being married and living securely.
Department/s
Publishing year
2014
Language
English
Pages
22-42
Publication/Series
South Asia
Volume
37
Issue
1
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Topic
- History
Keywords
- Kerala
- Dowry
- marriage
- women
- gender
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0085-6401