wives have to show they are married while husbands dont..........WHY???

Quite simply, it's because women are seen as property, and don't have as many rights as men. That's the gist of it. In every culture women have been viewed as less than the man ... it doesn't change when you marry, it only becomes worse. In cultures like ours (north america) things have improved to a great degree, but still have further to go. Women still earn less than men for the same work (for the most part), women are still critisized for their clothes, hair, friends, etc ... where men are given much more room to make their own decisions. *shrug* Some cultures haven't improved to the degree we have yet, and it's a shame. But that's the basic reasoning ... a 'man' doesn't 'have' to show he's married ... he's the boss! A woman is just his property and must show that she's 'owned'.

Sounds like double standards to me. I feel your culture is hundreds of years old and it has been that way because the men made up the rules. Could you explain to me a white girl from the USA what a mangalsutra and sindorr is? Is a saree an item of clothing? I know nothing of your culture and would love to learn. Thank you.

Since married man outwardly has no sign of being married...on this basis only he cannot betray anyone, I believe. You see it is difficult to conceal the truth that one is married. You would remember a saying - "To conceal a lie...you will have to speak hundred lies.." so if a lady is wise enough...and she does not put her faith blindly on him....she can come to know whether the other guy is married or not. Our custom is such that there is nothing which a married man uses to show that he is married. But you can judge from his face....LOL! A married man will always be like a lost player...LOL! Deepak

Yes you are right friend. Women wear few things which show that they are married. Actually it is a very old custom and i think that the reason behind this is that, men tend to admire all women. When they see a women with indications that they are married, then could stay away from admiring them. I think this is the reason why these extra things are worn by women. Anyway, i dont think that now a days people follow these things. So there is nothing much to worry.

Dear cooclcat123 Yes this happens in India .. but we can't help it .. as because it's the culture .. there is no proof for the husband but wife has to prove that she is married .. I think that why woman have to do all these things?? Just to prove that she is married .. It should be her wish -- if she wish to do it .. then she can go ahead and if not then .. there shold not be anybody forcing her to do that .. But yes you are right that the man can cheat any lady .. but if the man is a commited person he will never do this.. It's all about loyalty.

It is prevalent in India and some Asian and African countries only. There is a real cause from the ancient. And it was made a rule to make an identity of a girl when she is married. This was started by some very noble man to protect the married women from being utilised as some bad man for bad motives. Actually in ancient age the Kings used to have more than one queens and also many unmarried girls are called in their palace to satisfy the king every now and then. Since anyone has to hear what king says so many girls are tortured this way. And to protect the girl from this nasty greed of king, mngalsutra and some so called god given signs were made after marriage to the girls. It really protected the women. And this tradition came into being from long long time and is now also going on. But there is no such bindings to do or to wear something to say if one girl is married. But it is also necessary today also to identify a girl in many social purposes and we all are social, so there is nothing awful to declare a married girl. And if you look really, it looks great when a girl is in the dress of a married woman than a girl. This beauty is the other cause we are for specially in India.

I think it's simply stating a "class" of people. Women are not seen at the same level of honor as men. I find it rather sad in some ways but then again, I know of many Hindu women and Muslim women that have gone against "the ways" and become more "westernized" so I guess it's a matter of choice quite often. But I think in general it's simply because women are honored in a different way and not considered of the same class as their husband.

I think that's unfortunate that there are many cultures that believe women are property. That's so far from the truth, and all I can say is that I'm glad I live in Canada. I'm nobody's property, and I can make choices, and do what I want to do. My religion also doesn't dictate that I wear or do anything that shows the world that I'm married.

Hi coolcat, i live in singapore and i am a muslim. There are many indians locals as well as expatriates in Singapore. My neighbor is an indian, muslim, local and married to an expatriate indian wife. I've never seen her in a saree or a natni. Do you think it is in indian culture instead of a muslim culture? I personally do not wear my wedding ring everyday. It is too precious to be used for my daily rigours. Because i have 2 active young boys aged 6 and 3. I personally think that honoring a couple's marriage and wedding vows is more important than wearing a ring. Respecting my husband for who he is is way more important than having a band. - Lyn

This is our Indian custom and i think this cannot be changed but who knows what will happen in near future.May be some new signs will be introduced for men to wear during marriage ceremony and they will be identified after that whether they are married or still a bachelor..But sounds funny..right? Last week while listenning to fm radio a similar program was aired and people gave some funny answers to it like men can wear a ring in their thumb etc., But you have stressed a valuable point as to some males betray other unmarried women telling they are unmarried too and when the truth comes out the girl finds her into a difficult postition.This kind of news is most common when we turn newspapers daily.Hope this is one reason for these type of cheatings to happen.

i just read best response and i was going to give the similar response that is u can make it out just by looking whether a guy is married or not even u have not seen him earlier ,there is something about marriage which takes toll on men hehehehehe of course if they are good one i mean loyal and loving strays can also be identified u just need to have keen eyes,and for some they look married whether they are married or not hehehehehhehe, i think it is mother's effect.

Yes, Sad but true. We are the product of our environment. Our parents have taught us well. Men rule the roost and women are there to be submit. Men make the living and women make the life worth living. When a man is raised my mother who shows him how she treats her husband and family then he learns to pick a wife who will be like this. Submissive. I am in the United States and my first wives were not submissive..so we divorced.. Now I married a women from the Philippines and she was a very quiet and submissive women. After 22 years in the US she is not very quiet or submissive. NOw I am the one who is quiet and submissive..I have failed miserably but I will keep my silence as at my age I do not want to start over. In the US we have community rights laws ..so ..most people learn to adapt..People change when they come to the US..lol..but not always for the better..lol

I don't know much about your customs. But maybe it has been invented to protect married women. Men like to hit on women and those wedding "signs" is a message to men saying hey am married don't you dare:D And it was not needed by men at the time as it was rare for women to hit on men at that time. I don't know if it still works nowadays. Anyway I don't like anything imposed upon someone. Women should be able to choose.

I'm ready to wear a mangal sutra, saree and nose ring after my marriage. That's also the best way to escape from my money lenders....lol.

Every country has its own culture. Indian culture is like that thatwise it happen in india only.we are not able to do anything for this.Yes it is true women of india have to pay a lot because of its cultures and society rules. Indian culture made the man, head of the society.Women of india are not allowed to live a free life. But they never want any problem in their freedom that's wise this all thing is happen in India. Women had to wear marriage symbols while there is nothing for man. yes it is right that it is very easy for a man to betray any lady by saying he is not married.

I have no answer for tyhis just a comment. I just now realized that I have never seen an Indian male with the dot. And now I know why I haven't and also know why I have seen some Indian females withoput one. Thanks for this cultural lesson. The muslim one I knew about as my wife works at a Middle Eastern Restaraunt and deals with a lot of Muslim customers. The owner is from Egypt also so theres more culture I've learned from him and his family here in the states. HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB!!~

That sounds very sad and horrible, its not fair at all. It should go both ways, maybe the culture needs to change with he times. Not that , that would ever happen but it just seems not right at all.

Yes, and It's really unfair...