Ugliness A Reason Of Dowry Claims Maharashtra Sociology Book

A Sociology textbook from Maharashtra State Board claims “ugliness” as one of the reasons for dowry in India.

Chapter 3 of a class 12 sociology textbook, points that a girl’s ugliness results in families demanding more dowry.

“If a girl is ugly and handicapped, it becomes very difficult for her to get married. To marry her, the girl’s bridegroom and his family demand more dowry. The helpless parents of such girls are then forced to pay dowry as per the demands of bridegroom’s family. It lead to rise in the practice of dowry system.”

Over the last two years, this book has been used by thousands of students to prepare for the Higher Secondary Certificate board examinations.

A Bandra college professor told Hindustan Times,

“WHEN I FIRST READ THE CHAPTER ON DOWRY, I WAS SHOCKED. HOW CAN THEY WRITE SUCH THINGS IN A BOARD TEXTBOOK?”

She added that professors tend to avoid reading that particular paragraph.

“WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHILE TEACHING FROM THIS BOOK. STUDENTS CALL THIS PARTICULAR CHAPTER RUBBISH.”

Are you kidding me? Is this what it has come to? This is what children are taught these days? Looks like, they’ve forgotten about the societal vice that engulfs millions of Indian girls and the domestic violence that ensues. How about mentioning human greed or sick mentality as one of reasons for dowry?

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