Marriage in India has always been considered a sacred bond, a union not just between two individuals but between two families. However, beneath the colorful ceremonies and age-old traditions lies a troubling reality. The major problem of marriage in India today encompasses multiple interconnected issues that are tearing apart the very fabric of this institution. From ancient practices like dowry to modern challenges like communication breakdown, Indian marriages face unprecedented threats in 2025.
Recent studies reveal alarming statistics: while India traditionally maintained one of the world’s lowest divorce rates at just 1%, the numbers are rising dramatically. More concerning is that every minute, 3 girls are forced into child marriage, and the dowry system continues to claim lives despite being illegal for over six decades. These aren’t just numbers—they represent millions of shattered dreams, broken families, and lives lost to outdated practices.
The Dowry System: The Deadliest Problem
Perhaps the most devastating major problem of marriage in India remains the dowry system. Despite the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961, this practice continues to plague Indian society with fatal consequences. The dowry system transforms what should be a celebration of love into a commercial transaction where the bride’s family must pay the groom’s family in cash, goods, and property.
The statistics are heartbreaking. Bride deaths are increasing at an alarming rate, despite existing laws and rising literacy rates. The dowry system has completely changed the concept of marriage from a sacred institution based on love to merely a business negotiation between families. Women’s status within families becomes directly linked to dowry size—the greater the dowry, the better the treatment she receives.
This system creates enormous financial burden on families with daughters. Many families go into debt or sell property just to meet dowry demands. When demands aren’t met, it often leads to domestic violence, emotional abuse, and in extreme cases, dowry deaths. The practice perpetuates gender inequality by treating women as financial burdens rather than equal partners.
Child Marriage: A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight
Child marriage represents another critical aspect of the major problem of marriage in India. The numbers are staggering: approximately 222.4 million girls and women were married before age 18, with 23.3% of women aged 20-24 having been married before turning 18. This means that nearly 1 in 4 women in India experienced child marriage.
The reality is even more disturbing when broken down daily. Research shows that over 4,400 child marriages occur every day in India, yet only 3 cases are registered daily for prosecution. This massive gap between occurrence and reporting highlights the normalization of this harmful practice in many communities.
Child marriage robs girls of their childhood, education, and future opportunities. It often leads to early pregnancy, health complications, and perpetuates cycles of poverty. The practice also creates incompatible marriages where children are forced into relationships they’re emotionally and mentally unprepared for.
Communication Breakdown and Compatibility Issues
Modern Indian marriages face a significant challenge in the form of communication breakdown and compatibility issues. The major problem of marriage in India increasingly includes emotional disconnect between partners who may have been matched based on family preferences rather than personal compatibility.
Lack of communication has become one of the leading causes of divorce in urban India. Many couples enter marriage with unrealistic expectations about emotional fulfillment and partnership, only to discover fundamental incompatibilities later. The traditional arranged marriage system, while having its merits, sometimes fails to account for personal chemistry and shared values between partners.
The generation gap in expectations also plays a role. Younger Indians increasingly value personal freedom, career growth, and emotional intimacy, while older family members may prioritize traditional gender roles and family hierarchy. This creates tension and misunderstanding within marriages.
Domestic Violence and Abuse
Domestic violence remains a persistent major problem of marriage in India, affecting millions of women across all social and economic classes. Physical violence, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and economic control are prevalent forms of domestic violence that destroy marriages and lives.
The patriarchal structure of many Indian families can enable abuse by positioning women as subordinate to their husbands and in-laws. Cultural norms that emphasize women’s duty to maintain marriage at all costs often trap victims in violent relationships. Many women lack the financial independence or family support needed to escape abusive situations.
The cycle of violence often begins early in marriage and escalates over time. It’s frequently linked to dowry demands, family pressure for male children, or attempts to control women’s behavior and choices. The trauma from domestic violence affects not just the immediate victims but also their children and extended families.
Financial Stress and Economic Inequality
Financial issues represent a growing major problem of marriage in India, particularly as economic pressures increase and lifestyle expectations rise. Disputes over money, debt, and financial decision-making strain marriages and often lead to separation.
The burden of wedding expenses itself creates financial stress for families. The Indian wedding industry, valued at 10 lakh crores, thrives on emotional manipulation and social pressure to spend beyond means. Families often start marriages already in debt from elaborate wedding ceremonies and dowry payments.
Economic inequality between spouses can also create power imbalances within marriage. When one partner controls all financial resources, it can lead to economic abuse and prevent the other partner from making independent choices. Career-related distance due to work commitments has also become a factor in marital breakdown.
Family Interference and Extended Family Conflicts
In-laws and extended family interference constitute a significant major problem of marriage in India. The traditional joint family system, while offering support, can also create conflicts when boundaries aren’t respected. Interference from extended family members in personal decisions, financial matters, and child-rearing often causes tension between spouses.
Many marriages struggle under the pressure of managing relationships with multiple family members who may have conflicting expectations and demands. Young couples often find themselves caught between their own desires and family obligations, leading to stress and marital discord.
The expectation that daughters-in-law will prioritize their husband’s family over their own creates additional strain. Issues around inheritance, property, and family business decisions can become sources of ongoing conflict that damage marital relationships.
Rising Divorce Rates and Changing Social Attitudes
The major problem of marriage in India has evolved to include changing social attitudes and rising divorce rates. While traditionally viewed as a positive development toward individual freedom, the increasing divorce rates also reflect underlying systemic issues in how marriages are formed and sustained.
Women’s financial independence has empowered them to leave unhappy marriages, with women initiating approximately 70% of divorces globally, including in India. This shift represents progress in women’s rights but also highlights how many marriages were previously held together by economic dependence rather than genuine compatibility.
The rise in divorce rates also reflects changing expectations about marriage. Modern Indians increasingly view marriage as a partnership based on mutual respect and personal growth rather than duty and social obligation. When marriages fail to meet these expectations, couples are more willing to separate than previous generations.
The Path Forward: Solutions and Hope
While the major problem of marriage in India seems overwhelming, there are reasons for hope. Increased awareness, legal reforms, and changing social attitudes are creating positive change. Education and economic empowerment of women are crucial factors in addressing many of these issues.
Legal enforcement is improving in some states. Assam’s crackdown on child marriages resulted in an 81% reduction in instances across 1,132 villages between 2021-24. This demonstrates that strong law enforcement can make a significant difference.
Pre-marital counseling, relationship education, and open communication about expectations can help couples build stronger foundations for marriage. Supporting women’s education and career development reduces their vulnerability to abuse and exploitation.
Conclusion
The major problem of marriage in India is not a single issue but a complex web of interconnected challenges rooted in cultural practices, legal gaps, and social inequalities. From the persistent dowry system and child marriage epidemic to communication breakdown and domestic violence, these problems require comprehensive solutions involving legal reform, social change, and individual awareness.
Progress is possible, as demonstrated by declining child marriage rates and increasing divorce rights, but sustained effort is needed from government, civil society, and individuals. Only through collective action can India transform marriage from an institution marked by problems into one celebrating genuine partnership, respect, and love.
The future of Indian marriages depends on our willingness to confront these uncomfortable truths and work toward solutions that protect the vulnerable while preserving the positive aspects of this sacred institution.