ganpaty@ut-ngp.UTEXAS (S.Ganapathy) (10/23/85)
I feel that the only way for this message is assertiveness on part of the groom at any cost. As pointed out by many others education, equal oppurtunity and economic viability of women to take care (financialy) of themselves is extremely vital to the eradication of this evil. Even if the potential for such a situation is acheived the attitude of the society and the way it trats them at workplace is extremely crucial. Even in US women earn only 60 cents to a dollar as compared to men all other thigs remaining same. This sometimes makes me wonder what all those liberated women and organisations such as NOW are doing about it? In an arranged marriage such as those in our country the groom must make non acceptance of dowry as one of the preconditions before accepting the match. Customs such as squandering of money and any other form of extravagance, flouting of (well/ill) wealth should become socially unacceptable on marriage cermonies. Love marriage should look like an ideal solution to offset the above evils. A change in perception by the society at large and the women themslves on how they look on themselves would be pointer of things to come. It will be intersting to get the views of some female netters. *** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE ***