Abstract This paper begins with explaining the complexities of the dowry system in itself, as well as the exact process of it. Thereafter, some real examples of dowry system marriage products with horrible results are discussed. The problems with this practice are then clearly stated. Lastly, the approach that must be taken to ever begin abolishing this system are touched upon.
From the Paper "Growing up children in the United States have always been taught when they get old enough they will meet that special person, fall in love, and get married. However, what they are not taught is that all of the other societies in this world are not like us. There are some societies that believe marriage should not be based on love. They instead believe it should be based on economical and or status gain. In the country of India there are marriages that occur based on love, but they are far from the norm. The marriages that mostly occur in India are based on something called the dowry system."
Abstract A look at marriage in different societies. The author examines marriage in societies where transfer of resources is a requirement for the ceremony. The author compares the operations, significance and implications of dowry and bride-wealth in different cultures.
From the Paper "All animals, including humans, mate: some for life and some not; some with a single individual of the opposite sex and some with several. Only marriage, however, is sanctioned by legal, economic, and social forces. Anthropologists have tried to identify the common elements in different types of marriage to find the features that are essential or otherwise. They have also focused on the different forms of marriage and the elements involved, sexual, legal, economic and political and the futility of searching for a universal definition. In many tribal societies, marriage involves contracts or alliances between different descent groups, and is not a relationship between individuals. It is a transfer or flow of rights."
Abstract This paper looks at the rules and customs of marriage and divorce and the role of women during both biblical times and during the Second Temple period by analysis of various texts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and Hebrew Bible. After the Babylonian exile, Jews incorporated aspects of family life of several neighboring groups into their own practices. In particular, it examines how women were continually discriminated against and although they had their own rights, they were continually under the authority of men.
From the Paper "The prophetic message of marriage offers a much different view of marriage than that of Deuteronomy and Sirach. In Malachi 2:10-16 Judah is said to have married the daughter of a foreign God. Some scholars find this passage to be symbolic criticism of idolatry and others state the passage refers to the marriage of foreign women. In the passage Collins refers to Westbrook, who argues that the passage in Malachi refers to divorce without justification: ?The criticism is not of divorce as such, but for "hate" where the husband follows his own inclination and the wife has done nothing to deserve such a fate.? This challenges the earlier idea in Deuteronomy 24 that any aversion was grounds for a husband to divorce his wife. This is an important shift from rules meant to protect and favor those in power to an idea of justice in a relationship."
Tags: judaism, dead, sea, scrolls, dowry, bible, genesis, hebrew, literature
Abstract The paper begins with an outline of the life of Buchi Emecheta and a list of the novel's main themes, highlighting the connection between the issues raised by the author and her personal experience of these issues. The novel's plot is summarized and the paper then moves on to look at some of its main themes in more depth. Emecheta's views on marriage and gender in her society are dealt with and the concept of married life in the rural areas is compared with married life in the former capital city of Lagos. The character of Aku-nna?a is analyzed in terms of her needs and desires. The paper concludes with a discussion of the author's main aims in writing the novel and the messages contained within it.
From the Paper "The lives of some authors cannot be seperated form their works. This is the case of Buchi Emecheta. She was born in Nigeria in 1944 of Ibuza background. She married in 1962 and went to London with her husband and the two lived on his student fellowship.While in England, they had five children under extremely difficult circumstances and finally divorced. Emencheta found herself in London, a divorcee, black, single mother of five children, immigrant, on welfare, in public housing, and going to school to get a degree in library science. In The Bride Price Emencheta explores the fundamental issue of marriage, control of one's own life and own destiny, the point of view of many different women, and contradictory positions taken by these same women."
Abstract This compares domestic violence in the U.S. with the Middle East. Of concern are, dowry deaths, ritualized abuse, and socially and religiously approved or sanctioned violence.
Abstract This paper examines how as the world's largest democratic society, India, stands poised to join the international community as a preeminent member in the 21st century. In particular, it looks at how, against this modern backdrop, research shows that many women in India continue to be murdered over wealth because their husbands or in-laws are unsatisfied with the size of the dowry that accompanied them into the marriage. It provides a comprehensive examination of the factors contributing to the incidence of bride-burning in India today, including statistical data provided in a table.
From the Paper "However, the current problems associated with bride-burning in India might well be related to this ancient practice and the mind-set that is helped to create when it came to women in India today. For instance, when a married man died in some parts of ancient India, his wife was expected to share his cremation pyre. When this was done, she was highly regarded within the community as being sati (virtuous one). "The earliest reference to Sati appears in 314 BC in the writings of Greek scholar Diodorus Siculus. It may be inferred that initially, Sati was a voluntary act, committed by a wife driven by emotional distress over her husband's death, or by an ancient belief in accompanying the husband to the next world" (Thaker 2000:2). Over time, the practice became culturally acceptable and peer pressure helped to maintain the practice; however, even during these ancient times, not everyone was happy about the practice of Sati (Thaker 2000)."
Abstract This paper explains that the position of women in Hindu society has changed considerably in modern times with the advent of modernity and technology, however she is still not on par with her contemporaries in the west. It argues that modern laws have mitigated the tightly restricted position women occupied in Indian society to some extent, however there is still much that needs to be done to raise the status of women in Hinduism.
Outline
Introduction
Traditional Concepts of Women in Hinduism
Status of Modern Woman in Hindu Society
The Dowry System
The Sati System
Female Foeticide
Hinduism vs. Modern Status of Women
Conclusion
From the Paper " The status of women in Hinduism is much different from that of women all over the world. While Hindu women are also subject to the gender inequality that exists all over the world, it may be noted that religious restrictions and dictates mandate additional limitations upon the Hindu woman. Traditionally, her status has always been one of inferiority to man, but the underlying contempt that leads to this treatment of her as inferior is belied by the religious deception of her portrayal as a supremely moral being, as strong and as pure as a goddess. It may therefore be observed that Hinduism imposes upon Hindu women a religious standard of morality and purity that is almost impossible for a real woman to attain. It requires a level of self sacrifice and piety that is paradoxically denied to her by virtue of her "uncleanliness" caused by menstruation. Therefore, while Hinduism calls out to women to maintain the status of purity and morality that will ensure the attainment of a religious standard to serve in religious institutions, it also ensures that this standard will never be achieved - because she is ostracized from the religious shrines when she is menstruating. The highest ideal for Hindu women is the attainment of religious zeniths of purity. Everything in a Hindu woman's life is conditioned around religion and Hinduism is the source of all the cultural and societal values that are imposed upon the woman."
Abstract This paper explains that, whereas marriage used to be an institution, which helped individuals gather and maintain wealth and eventually give some of it to the government, divorce is the great disperser of wealth because two households now must be supported thus stimulating the economy. The author points out that, if both partners work, they pay more proportionally because of the marriage tax; however, if the tax payer is a single head of household, the tax rate is significantly lower than for a married individual filing a separate income tax return; single head of household parents, who fall below a certain income level, are given special tax breaks called tax incentives to help pay for childcare. This paper relates that some states, like Louisiana, have actually changed their laws so that there are two types of marriage contract: The "Death Do Us Part" marriage, which requires extensive legal maneuvering to dissolve, or the "Until We Get Tired of Each Other" marriage, which makes marriage easier dissolve. Several long quotes.
From the Paper "There have been studies that divorced fathers buy their children more toys and take them to more places of amusements than married fathers. Divorced fathers also need a social life, so they buy newer clothing and go to events where they can meet available divorced or single women. Divorced women also tend to over indulge their children, because they always feel guilty about leaving their children with the baby sitter. Divorced women with access to childcare also date. They buy new clothes and spend money on health clubs and dieting that they not do if they were happily married. All of this buying is good for the economy. The State governments get more sales tax money, the Gross National Product keeps raising and this keeps the Federal Government happy as well."
Abstract This essay argues that Erwin Panofsky's interpretation of Jan van Eyck's "Arnolfini Portrait" focuses on its sacramental nature,. The author relates that Linda Seidel's interpretation expands this focus and includes customs and socioeconomic factors of the era that help provide greater understanding of the work.
From the Paper "The Jan van Eyck portrait of the marriage of Giovanni Arnolfini and Giovanna Cenami provides room for interpretation from different perspectives The classic interpretation offered by Erwin Panofsky focuses on the religious ..."
Abstract This paper discusses the importance and the set up of the family unit in Pakistan. It discusses the role of the biradari within the family and looks at the way that marriages are arranged and celebrated. It then considers the importance of sons within the family unit and describes the treatment of women in Pakistani families in the past and during the present times.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
The Role of Families in Pakistan
Marriage in Pakistan
Treatment of Women in Pakistan
From the Paper "The role of the family is important in Pakistan because it is the basic organization in Pakistan. Families often consist of grandparents, parents, siblings, and other relatives who all live in one house with the focus on the male kin or biradari (Pakistan Tradition Kinship 2006). The importance of the family life is seen in how the biradari celebrate different life events including births, deaths, and major holidays. The importance of the biradari cannot be understated because it offers poor family members loans and even provides a dowry for poorer families (Pakistan Traditional Kinship 2006). When parents cannot provide for the family, often the biradari steps in to help different parts of the family. In Pakistan, the elderly are respected and children are considered gifts from God (Family Life 2006). This is especially true of male children. Sons are considered important because they will provide for their mothers, while females are considered a liability and their innocence must be protected (Pakistan Traditional Kinship 2006). When studying the country of Pakistan, it is important to consider the role of marriage and its value to the people."
