This fascinating research examines the tradition of a marriage payment or dowry from the bride’s family to the groom’s family in South Asia – and its impacts on intimate partner violence. Using the anti-dowry law in India as a natural experiment the researchers find that this legal reform – although successful at reducing dowry payments -- also led to a rise in domestic violence and a decline in women’s decision-making powers. Read more.
Blog » ‘Til Dowry Do Us Part: Bargaining and Violence in Indian Families (2022)
‘Til Dowry Do Us Part: Bargaining and Violence in Indian Families (2022)
This fascinating research examines the tradition of a marriage payment or dowry from the bride’s family to the groom’s family in South Asia – and its impacts on intimate partner violence. Using the anti-dowry law in India as a natural experiment the researchers find that this legal reform – although successful at reducing dowry payments -- also led to a rise in domestic violence and a decline in women’s decision-making powers. Read more.