Bride price turmoil: When traditional customs encounter a real dilemma
In Ningbo, Zhejiang, an 8-year relationship came to an end because of a bride price of 188,000 yuan. This incident is not only embarrassing, but also provokes people to think deeply about the conflict between traditional customs and practical predicaments.
Xiao Wang and Xiao Li, a couple who once fell in love sweetly on the college campus, stayed in Hangzhou together after graduation and looked forward to a better future together. However, when the reality of talking about marriage was in front of them, they fell into an unprecedented predicament.
According to Ningbo's "standard", the bride price is usually around 100,000 yuan, while in Xiao Wang's hometown, this figure may even be as high as 300,000 yuan. For Xiao Wang's family, they are not greedy for money, but hope that the man can show enough sincerity and respect. They made it clear that the 188,000 yuan bride price would not be kept, but would add another 100,000 yuan and a car as a dowry to bring back to their new home. However, Xiao Li's family could not accept this amount, which they believed was far beyond their means.
Xiao Li's family is an ordinary working-class family, and they have used all their savings to pay for the down payment on the house so that their son can settle down in Hangzhou. The next wedding, gold jewelry, decoration and other expenses made them feel even more stressed. In their opinion, taking out nearly 200,000 yuan as a bride price is undoubtedly worse. In their hometown, the bride price is usually only 50,000 or 60,000 yuan, so the budget they initially set was only 66,000. In the face of Xiao Wang's family's request, they felt both helpless and aggrieved.
In this bride price turmoil, both sides have their own positions and grievances. Xiao Wang hopes that the man will respect and understand her family customs and expectations, while Xiao Li hopes that the woman will be considerate of their family's financial situation and difficulties. However, the two parties were never able to reach an agreement, which eventually led to the breakdown of the relationship.
This incident is not unique. In real life, conflicts and disputes caused by the bride price issue are not uncommon. As a traditional custom, the bride price was originally intended to express blessings to the couple and respect for the woman's family. However, in modern society, the bride price has gradually evolved into a kind of capital for comparison and showing off, and has even become a "roadblock" on the road to marriage.
For this phenomenon, we can't help but ask: is the bride price a touchstone or a stumbling block for love?
First, we need to understand that the bride price is not a necessary condition for marriage. What really matters is the emotional foundation and mutual understanding between the two parties. If both parties can communicate openly and understand each other, then the bride price issue can be easily solved.
Secondly, we must advocate a healthy and rational concept of marriage and love. Marriage is not a transaction and should not be measured in terms of money. We should pay more attention to the matching degree of character, character, and values of both parties, rather than paying too much attention to the amount of bride price.
Finally, the government and all sectors of society should also strengthen the guidance and education of the concept of marriage and love, and promote the formation of a healthy and civilized new trend of marriage and love. At the same time, we should also mediate and deal with disputes and conflicts arising from the bride price issue in accordance with the law to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of both parties and social stability.