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From: krish (krish_at_astro.ge.com)
Date: Fri Jan 19 1996 - 09:57:20 PST
I am thrilled at the response to my querry on dowry. I am proud of the young men who have been so forthright on the topic. To equate dowry to a share of the family wealth, as suggested by J is not valid. One inherits after the demise. Women should have a right for inheritance ( recall all the second and subsequent sons in UK had to leave for Australia etc. to find a fortune since they could not inherit!). The problem with dowry is it is conditional. I think, "arranging" a marriage is the root cause. In such a method, alliances are based on economic status, caste, looks etc. In a unarranged marriage except by the boy and girl involved, the prime questionof interest is compatibilty and they find it for themselves. The seervarisai is practiced with more conditions than just dowry, vessels, saris, suits, cars and so on. Can't a young man start on his own? Krish