Op-Ed: How Dowry Tradition Has Become a Burden in Cambodian Society

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In modern Cambodia, dowries have increasingly become a tool for economic negotiation rather than a gesture of goodwill.

The groom’s family is typically expected to offer money, gold, or material goods as a dowry, with the amount often tied to the bride’s social standing, education, and beauty. While this may seem like a way to honor the bride, it frequently turns into a source of financial strain.

For many families, the dowry isn’t just a cultural tradition—it’s a marker of status, a test of financial stability, and, perhaps most troubling, a reflection of the bride’s "value."

These expectations have grown heavier with each generation, turning a symbolic practice into a source of debt, stress, and inequality. Behind the scenes of a vibrant wedding ceremony, grooms’ families often face sleepless nights, calculating loans or selling cherished possessions, while brides quietly wrestle with the implicit judgment of their worth being reduced to a monetary figure.

This evolution of the dowry tradition reveals a deeper story about societal values and gender roles in Cambodia—one that urgently calls for reflection and reform.

What happens when a celebration of love becomes a transaction? How do we balance the weight of tradition with the need for fairness and equality?

Grooms and Brides

Grooms’ families, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, may find themselves borrowing money, selling land, or liquidating assets to meet these expectations. This financial burden can lead to debt and long-term economic instability for newlyweds and their families. In extreme cases, the inability to afford a dowry has delayed marriages or caused relationships to dissolve entirely.

The pressure extends to the bride’s family as well. The size of the dowry can become a metric of a daughter’s perceived value, creating an implicit judgment of her worth. Women from rural or economically disadvantaged backgrounds may face additional stigma if their families are unable to secure a significant dowry. This reinforces harmful stereotypes and perpetuates cycles of inequality, where a woman’s value is tied to her economic "price."

Emotional Toll on Brides

For brides, the dowry system can be an emotional burden. The tradition, intended to celebrate their role in the union, instead often reduces them to objects of economic transaction. Many women feel trapped in a system where their marriage prospects are determined by financial negotiations rather than love or compatibility.

This transactional nature also undermines the idea of marriage as a partnership. Instead of being valued for their individuality and contributions, brides may feel as though their worth is determined by what their family can “demand” in a dowry.

Toward a More Equitable Future

The evolution of the dowry system in Cambodia highlights the tension between tradition and modernity. While dowries once symbolized honor and respect, their transformation into financial transactions often exacerbates economic inequality and reinforces harmful gender norms.

By rethinking the dowry tradition, Cambodia has the opportunity to foster a more equitable and compassionate society. Efforts to educate communities about gender equality, reduce financial expectations in marriage, and empower women to pursue financial independence are essential steps in this direction.