Page 128 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Sociology of Kinship

Notes 1. The Pathetic Existence of Widows: The society deprives women of many comforts and
restriction are imposed on them. For example-they are refrained from wearing good clothes
and jewellery, are not allowed personal grooming, their presence on auspicious occasions
is considered a bad omen. They bear family fortune. In order to help them break free from
such ordeal, they should be allowed to remarry, on the grounds of morality.
2. Double Standard of Morality on Sexual Relations: A man is allowed to remarry after the
death of his wife but the woman is not allowed to do so. Widow remarriage should be al-
lowed to end the double standards regarding sexual relations.
3. Self Abstinence : An Irony: The Hindu religious scriptures expect women to lead the life of
abstinence, which is not possible. Sex is a biological need, the lack of which causes physical
and mental illness. Thus, widow remarriage is necessary.
4. To Prevent Immorality: It is necessary to allow widow remarriage to prevent sexual im-
morality.
5. To prevent prostitution and religious convertion, widow remarriages should be allowed
as women tend to turn to prostitution or conversion, in order to fulfil their sexual urges
and support themselves financially. They convert to other religious as they (Muslims and
Christians) allow widow remarriage.
6. To Prevent Crime: Widow remarriages will reduce cases of sexual crime, female foeticide
and suicide.
7. For the Development of Personality: Widow remarriage is essential for the personality de-
velopment of the widows and their children.
8. Problem Covers large Part of Society: This problem is related to 2.5 million widows ap-
proximately, which needs to be solved on the grounds of morality.
9 Accepted by Religious Scriptures: The ancient religious scriptures too, allow widow remar-
riage Vashisht, narad and Kautilya also allowed such a marriage. It was prohibited only
during the middle ages.
10. Voice of the Majority: Most of the people in society favour widow remarriage. Out of the
5/3 students whom Kapadia interviewed, 345 spoke in favour of widow remarriage. Thus
the people’s verdict should be respected.
11. Humanitarian Ground: Men and women should be granted equal rights on the grounds of
humanity. Widows too, should be granted the right to live. ‘The Right to Live’ is the Uni-
versal Fundamental Right.
Moved by the plight of widows and because of its justification, many social reformers, Arya
Samaj, Brahma Samaj, Sir J.C. Grant and others, took many initiatives for widow remarriage.
As a result, in 1856, the Widow Remarriage Act came into existence. But merely passing such
laws is not enough. The society has to accept such marriages and view people who go for it,
with respect. At present, because of the women’s education, increased financial independence.
Feeble caste domination, industrialisation and urbanisation, there is a growing verdict in favour
of widow remarriage. The number of such marriages is increasing but youngsters will have to
play a creative role in it. They have to forward and break the old beliefs. The social reformers,
government and caste groups too, should encourage such marriages. Then only, such a grave
problem could be solved.

Hindu Widow Remarriage Act, 1856

Before 1856, the widows were neither allowed to remarry nor have any rights on their dead hus-
band’s property. Because of child marriages and unmatched marriages, the number of widows
in the society had increased and their condition was pathetic. Many widows converted to Islam
and Christianity. Arya Samaj, Brahma Samaj, Ishwarchandra Vidya Sagar and Raja Ram Mo-

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