Dowry System inTharuCommunity: A Case Study of Santapur VDC of Rautahat District

Abstract

The study "Dowry System in Tharu Community: A Case Study of Santapur (Matiyon)VDC, Rautahat District", is based on primary data. The main objective of the study was to understand dowry system prevalent in Tharu community. The study has explored attitudes, practices, causes and consequences of dowry system. There werealtogether 533 HHs of Tharu communities in the village. Out of this, 154 HHs (29percent) were included using proportional sampling method under simple random sampling method for the study purpose. The same application was used for selecting respondents, ever married men and women between 15-59 years old. In the study,various variables were analyzed to understand dowry system, attitudes, practices,causes and consequences of dowry system. The current status of dowry system is veryvirulent. It is spreading like a communicable disease. The major causes of its prevalence and spread has been seen as the "Psychological factor" and "Influence from other's culture". The prime consequence was found "Verbal abuse". Besides,"Physical abuse", "Psychological abuse" and "Less social status"were some more consequences.