Of so many other unfair practices in our society, this one bugs me the most.
Why is it that the onus of arranging the entire marriage event goes only to the brides' parents, while the grooms' parents simply walk in proudly,enjoy and get back with the bride (a handy housemaid, so to say). This in addition to all the jewellery that has to be done as per the wishes of the boy's side.
Is it not foolishness that the bride's father sometimes has to give up his property or retirement benefits just to be able to host a wedding - a one day event ....Will not simple wedding do?
The other day I visited a relative's house whose son's marriage is round the corner.She has 4 sons and you should see how proud she is about it. I was watching her in awe when she was telling everyone with pride that she has "dictated the terms" clearly to the girl's mom - about their expectations et al. They have not spent a single penny except for dresses for the family. I have seen that this feeling of an 'All-boys' family, seems to give her an extra edge in the midst of the friends and relatives. She looks down upon all others as though she has the super power of Gods.
there are some families that boast that they dint take a single penny as dowry but "expected" the bride's parents to atleast give a lavish wedding...
so..........is a lavish wedding not costly? and again the question arises.y only bride's parents have this responsibility? r they doing a favor to the bride's family by taking their girl,that they expect such a compensation from them?
check any farmhouses,banquet halls,hotels etc...and see for urself the costs involved in arranging even a lavish wedding.
and who benefits the most in a grand wedding?
not the bride,groom,bride's parents or even the groom's parents.all of them are busy welcoming guests,collecting presents,in marriage arrangements,etc.
its the guests who benefit the most as they come,eat,chit chat and go away....in how many weddings have u seen guests waiting till the bride's vidai?nobody.becoz their area of interest is not really seeing the entire marriage ceremony ,but to make merry...only v.close relatives stay back till the ceremonies last..
when the bride and groom face any personal problems in life....these guests are nowhere around...rather they gossip (as in divorce cases,etc)as they get a good topic to laugh over and spread around...so shud they be given so much importance that the bride's poor retired father has to spend his life's earnings,just to please such people?
Can anyone ever pass a law that commands that both sides should host a simple wedding in a temple,spending not more Rs. than 20,000 in the entire affair,bearing 50:50 marriage costs?
or
go in for a court marriage
if people still dont listen and continue demanding or giving lavish marriages,though it may sound weird,laws shud be passed for annulling such marriages.....only then this show off and extra burden on bride's parents will end..