Dear MEL Topic Readers,
The happiest day of an Indian bride’s life can lead to years of debt
Nowadays in India, even educated graduates have difficulty finding jobs,
and middle-class families are struggling to make ends meet and often fall into
a debt trap. (Vol.5093) Another financial burden the parents of a daughter have
to bear is the wedding. While marrying off a daughter carries both joy and
relief for her parents, they are expected to offer a substantial dowry, prepare
and manage the lavish wedding ceremony, and pay the expenses, which, altogether,
could cost years of their income. Even though dowry is prohibited in India, it still
persists widely because it is still expected by the groom’s family, with whom
the bride is going to live once married. It could include not just money but
also furniture, a car, or even a house if the couple lives by themselves. Also,
because weddings serve as a bond in the families, the community, and social relationships,
hundreds of guests are invited and served at the extravagant wedding events
that last a few days or even a week. All of these preparations are made and expenses
paid by the bride’s family, and many of them have no choice but to borrow money
at a high interest rate for years. Education raises expectations, inflation
increases the costs of living, and a wedding could add years of debt. Even years
of hard work might not be enough to live a comfortable life for many in India.
Read the article and learn about another financial burden that a girl’s
family has to bear.
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