We must think about these issues and try to eliminate this culture from our society
SARGODHA: The practice of excessive expenditure on marriage ceremonies and dowries has been a cause of suffering for many families and especially the low income ones. Our upper-class uses the occasion to show how wealthy they are. Meanwhile, the poor take out money from their children’s education funds, health funds and daily expenses to cover nonsensical marriage expenses.
Marriage in our country is an occasion for insane displays of spending on lavish receptions, mehndi banquets, jewellery, give-aways, dowry and trinkets. It is not hard to find cases in Pakistan where a poor family has to save money for years just to marry off a daughter. Many girls remain unmarried for a long time and families suffer a lot due to the expectations and pressure our society places. Instead of leading simple lives as prescribed by the faith system of the majority, we go all out. We must think about these issues and try to eliminate this culture from our society.
M Ahsan Abid
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2016.
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