Bad Customs of Our Society

A traditional way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a society, place or time is known as custom. There are many good customs in our society like respecting elders, participating in each others festival etc. At the same time, there are many bad customs practiced in our society in the name of tradition. Such bad customs hamper the development of the society. Let us discuss some of the bad customs presence in our society.

Dowry tradition:

What is dowry tradition?

The property or money brought by a bride to her husband home on her marriage is called dowry.

Impact of dowry tradition:

Physical and mental torture is given by the husband and his parents to a woman for not bringing sufficient dowry. Many married couples are splitting due to not fulfilling the demand of husband and their family. Sometimes, the husband, mother-in-law and other family members try to kill the woman. Polygamy has increased due to this system. It is creating lots of conflicts and tension in the family. This bad custom is widely practiced in the terai region and is slowly spreading to other parts of our country as well. All the conscious people of the society should work together to abolish this bad practice.

Solutions:

i) The strict law should be made to punish those who take dowry.
ii) The social boycott should be done to those who marry by taking dowry.
iii)The government should discourage this.
iv) Mass awareness programs should be organized to sensitize the people.

Untouchability:

What is untouchability?

Discriminating people on the basis of their caste is called untouchability. Untouchability has been practiced in our society since ancient times. Though it was declared illegal by the new Muluki Ain of 2020 of 2020 BS, it still exists as a stain in our society. It is the remainder of the feudal culture of our society. In some place, especially in the village, the so-called high-class people prohibit low-class people from entering their houses or using public property like water, tap, temple etc.

Impacts of untouchability: The schedule castes are dominated in the society which creates inequality in the society. Sometimes, people revolt against such inequality. Such discrimination hinders social development and nation building. It divides the members of the society and conflict takes place

Solutions:

i) Mass awareness programs should be organized throughout the country to aware the people, especially in rural areas.
ii) The laws regarding untouchability should be implemented effectively.
iii) Reservation in civil service, police, army and other sectors should be made to schedule castes.
iv) Skill training or employment opportunities should be given to them to uplift their economic condition.
v) We all should work together to abolish this bad social evil.

Deuki Pratha:

What is Deuki Pratha?

There is a tradition of offering a girl child to the temple in the hill region of the far western development region. This custom is known as Deuki pratha. The parents offer their own child to the temple. Sometimes, the rich people buy a daughter of a poor family and offer her in the temple. There is a belief that these girls should not marry throughout their life.

The impact of Deuki Pratha: Such girls cannot exercise any of their rights. They cannot get an education and remain illiterate. They remain unmarried throughout their life.

Jhuma Pratha:

What is Jhuma Pratha?

There is a tradition of offering the second daughter to the monastery in the Himalayan region of Nepal. Such girls have to spend her whole life in cleaning and taking care of her Gumba. Like Deuki Pratha, she also cannot exercise any of her rights. She cannot marry as well. So this custom should be abolished. Besides these, there are many other bad customs in various communities of our society. All such bad customs should be abolished. Education and awareness play an important role to end such evils. Proper laws should be passed on to stop such bad activities.

Ghumto Pratha:

What is Ghumto Pratha?

There is a custom of covering the face by the married woman so that men cannot see her face. This custom is called the Ghumto Pratha. it is practiced in the terai region. It is the symbol of gender inequality.

Things to remember

• Traditionally behaving or doing something that is specific to society is known as custom.  There are also some bad customs in our society alike dowry tradition, girls trafficking, untouchability, deuki pratha, ghumto pratha, etc.
• There are still bad customs due to the lack of education, unemployment, lack of opportunity to girls, continuity of old tradition and practice etc.
• Solutions to prevent bad customs are education should be provided, the strict law should be made to give an opportunity to girls, awareness program should be held, etc.

• It includes every relationship which established among the people.
• There can be more than one community in a society. Community smaller than society.
• It is a network of social relationships which cannot see or touched.
• common interests and common objectives are not necessary for society.

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