COMMUNITY PERCEPTION TOWARDS DOWRY PRACTICE AND ITS ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES

Abstract

This research investigated community perception towards dowry practice and its economic consequences in District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 230 respondents were selected through simple random sampling technique to portray information. Chi square (χ2) and Gamma (γ) test statistics were used to determine the level of association and strength and direction between variables. The results indicated that 86.6 percent respondents viewed that sufficient dowry is considered as symbol of honor and respect, dowry payment is essential for marriage was disclosed by 60.9 percent respondents and 96.6 percent respondents considered dowry practice an evil. Furthermore, respondents perception about dowry practice was found significant (P < 0.05) and positive (γ =1.000) with dowry is paid in cash. Similarly, community perception about dowry practice was found significant (p<0.05) and positive (γ=0.999) with dowry payment in material shape like jewelry, land, cattle. Moreover, a significant and positive association was found between community perception about dowry practice and due to demand of huge dowry the poor girls remain unmarried (P <0.05, γ = 1.000). In addition, the association of community perception about dowry practice was found significant and positive with sufficient dowry help women in problematic situation (p<0.05, γ =1.000) and with dowry is paid to ensure economic stability of daughter and sister in future (P <0.05, γ= 0.898). The results concluded that community considered dowry as an evil which leads to so many problems like the poor girls remain unmarried due to demands of huge dowry and make poor families economically indebted.