College textbook lists merits of dowry: 5 times textbooks were absolutely ridiculous
During school, we were taught that books are the ultimate source of knowledge and one should revere them. But these days, not just celebrities or politicians, books too are landing in controversies.
Case in point: a paragraph on 'Merits of Dowry' is going viral on social media and of course, netizens are super angry. A book, Textbook of Sociology for Nurses, which is available on online shopping websites, describes the benefits of dowry in its Chapter 6, on page number 122.
Take a look at the points first (the last one will make you perhaps burn the book).
If you are in shock after reading this, let us tell you that this is not the only one. Many times, such textbooks have triggered some serious conversations on the internet.
Take a look at some of them:
1. THE REPRESENTATION OF BEAUTIFUL AND UGLY
Another picture from an Indian textbook went viral while trying to teach opposites.
In the book, a fair girl is represented as beautiful, whereas a picture of a dark girl has been labelled as ugly.
Racism is being promoted in full swing in these textbooks.
2. KILL A KITTEN FOR AN EXPERIMENT
Yes! This is true. A Class 4 textbook on Environmental Studies asks the students to lock kittens in a box to know the difference between living and non-living things.
To differentiate between living and non-living things, the book lists an experiment.
In the experiment, the kids have to lock two kittens in wooden boxes; one with holes to breathe in, and the other should be without holes. In the conclusion, the paragraph of the book reads, “After some time, open the boxes. What do you see? The kitten inside the box without holes has died.”
This is insane!
3. QUESTION DESCRIBES QUALITIES OF AN IDEAL MATCH
In a maths problem on probability, the textbook lists qualities of girl whom a man wants to marry. These include: 'handsome dowry, white complexion, and manner and style'.
Well, we really want to know, who is framing these questions?
4. BOOKS THAT DESCRIBE THE SIZE OF A WOMAN
This physical education book for Class 12 describes the appropriate sizes for a woman. Under the headline 'physical differences between males and females', the book mentions that: "the 36, 24, 36 shape of females is considered the best. This is why in Miss World or Miss Universe competitions such type of shape is also taken into consideration".
Are these books trying to raise body-shamers?
5. ONE MORE DOWRY EXPLAINER
Looks like Indian textbooks love describing the dowry system (A system, by the way, that is a criminal offence). This is from a Class 12 textbook in Maharashtra. The book mentions that ugliness and disability are among the reasons for dowry demands.
"If a girl is ugly and handicapped, then it becomes very difficult for her to get married. To marry such girls, the bridegroom and his family demand more dowry. Parents of such girls become helpless and pay dowry as per the demands of the bridegroom's family," the book says.
Also, this book has been approved by the State Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board.
FYI: Giving or receiving dowry is a criminal offence in India.