Money for Marriage Dowry in the 21st Century
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Nearly 50 years ago, the Indian government passed a ban against giving or taking dowry; however, the practice remains common throughout many areas of the country. It's not uncommon for middle-class and wealthy families to give new cars, motorcycles, jewelry or assistance with home improvements as a condition for a daughter's marriage. This project will explore how the dowry system continues to flourish "under the table," its social significance for women and how many families have carried on this tradition outside of India.
President Obama has placed a high priority on developing the United States' relationship with India, a rising global power. When he travels to India this November, Americans will want to know more about men and women in this country – thousands of miles away, yet connected to us in so many ways. The dowry system affects millions of women throughout India, rich or poor, educated or not. Many women have taken prominent leadership positions in the government and the private sector; yet at the same time, millions have become victims of infanticide and sex-selective abortions. Many Indians say this is linked inextricably to the dowry system, which thrives, in part, due to the country's rapid economic growth.
Mary Stachyra will travel to Mumbai this fall to visit with families who have given money for marriage, non-profit organizations, police and government authorities who work to enforce the nation's anti-dowry laws. She'll find out how modern brides feel about this controversial tradition, how it affects their place in their families and society, and how it quietly carries on, across continents, within communities in the United States.
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Mary Stachyra grew up in the Midwestern United States, but a love for travel keeps her exploring places all over the globe. She graduated from the City University of New York with a master’s degree in international journalism, and interned at CNN International and MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” She has written for The Times of India, The New York Daily News, Manhattan Media publications and other outlets.