Bride price, dowry, possession, obligation, and arranged marriage. Words that instantly make the average western woman cringe, and yet in Cambodia these are parts of every girl’s life, and never more so then at the announcement of her upcoming wedding. Survey any group of western woman and reactions to bride prices and dowries certainly fall on the negative side. Yet, in Cambodia and in many parts of Asia the dowry is a sign of a future husband’s capability to provide, and look aft er his new wife. The concept is completely normal and being off ended by it, is seen as at best funny, or at worse, ill- advised and ignorant. Arranged marriages are alive and well in Cambodia. Most marriages have been arranged by parents rather than by the nuptials themselves. Forced arrangements are now on the decline and girls have the right to refuse their parents, but in practice this is extremely uncommon. Love is not necessarily a driving force and something that comes later, if at all.
Read More in Cambodia Insight Website on Issue 2 Page 25.
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