Dowry: Parental Concerns and Expectations in Pakistan

Abstract

The current study was conducted to investigate parental views, concerns, and expectations regarding the dowry practice. For this purpose, six fathers and six mothers were interviewed who indulged in dowry practiced. After analyzing data through thematic analysis, three superordinate themes emerged: dowry perspective, concerns behind dowry, and consequences and prevention of dowry. Participants were aware of the concept, origin, and religious basis of the dowry system. They mainly supported limited dowry provision on a daughter’s wedding but opposed accepting from a daughter-in-law. Participants believed that dowry had a destructive impact at societal, economic, and familial levels and was connected to greediness, delayed marriages, loans, psychological impact, financial miseries, dowry-related violence, and divorce. Eradication measures of the dowry system included promoting awareness and knowledge of Islamic Shariah, the role of media, and developing a sense of equity among the community. This study helped us to understand the core motives behind the provision and acceptance of dowry.