Two concepts. Mehr or bride-price and stridhan or "dowry."
As Oldenburg documents in the book "Dowry Murder" it is bride price/mehr where women have low status. They are like purchased commodities.
Stridhan is women's wealth. Early inheritance. Raises status. Dowry is European.
As Oldenburg documents in the book "Dowry Murder" it is bride price/mehr where women have low status. They are like purchased commodities.
Stridhan is women's wealth. Early inheritance. Raises status. Dowry is European.
https://twitter.com/anniezaidi/status/1420780888221122564
I already referred you to a book. India had Stridhan, moveable property that was controlled and passed on via women. This was changed in colonial rule as land become tradeable and women disinherited in property.
Mehr is commodification of women.
Mehr is commodification of women.
https://twitter.com/anniezaidi/status/1438436547406139395?s=20
Dowry was a European custom and distortion introduced to India. But even today people parents will say "hamari ladki hai, jo hamara man karega, vo usko denge." The meaning of "dowry" in India as stridhan. inheritance of a woman, needs to to be restored. It belongs to her.
Phrases like "all women know ..." are a prelude to bulshitting.
More useful to have a conversation to understand elements of culture, and why a custom persists despite draconian laws.
When we understand something rightly, we can solve problems better.
More useful to have a conversation to understand elements of culture, and why a custom persists despite draconian laws.
When we understand something rightly, we can solve problems better.
https://twitter.com/anniezaidi/status/1438439166346346504?s=20
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