SOCIAL EVILS

Social evils are the issues that directly or indirectly affect the members of a society
and are considered a point of controversy or a problem in regards to moral values. Common
social evils include: caste system, poverty, dowry system, gender inequality, illiteracy etc.
The social evils and superstitions that dominated the society over the centuries made social
reforms imperative for the development of the society and the , masses. In the 1 9th century,
the newly educated increasingly revolted against the rigid social conventions and outdated
customs. They could no longer tolerate irrational and dehumanising social practices.
Moreover, the backward features of Indian society, such as the caste system or inequality of
the sexes had religious sanctions in the past. Therefore, it was necessary to reform religious
practices as well.

he condition of women was pathetic. The various religions practiced in India as well
as the personal laws based on them consigned women to a status inferior to that of men.
Polygamy, Purdah system, Sati, Ban on widow remarriage, No education for female child,
Female infanticide and Child marriage were some of the evils that had a strong grip over the
society. It, thus became necessary to take women out of this degraded position and help her
to realise her true potential.

The problems of female foeticide, sexual harassment at work place and their lack of .
education are still prevalent; these are mainly responsible for marginalised status of women
in the society. Futile glorification of Sati practice and role of women confined S to the four
walls of the house, should be checked to combat evils like dowry system, female foeticide,
decline in sex ratio, harassment of women etc. This can be achieved by educating women
and making them financially independent. Dowry in India, the practice of endowing gifts to
the groom by the bride’s family, is a tradition which changed its meaning from willingly
offering gifts to demanding astronomical amounts. It not only puts immense pressure on the
parents, but also brings them under the burden of huge debt. The inhumane circumstances
created by groom’s family push many girls to resort to suicide or murder. All these factors
together, has only worsened the inequality between the sexes.

Illiteracy and lack of education give birth to another social evil that is ‘superstition’, which is
still prevalent in the Indian society, even in this modern era. Superstitions like, one should
not leave home if anyone sneezes or if a cat crosses the path, seeing a one eyed person or
a widow early in the morning is sure to bring a bad day, hooting of an owl and the howling of
a dog are all signs of ill luck or even death are quite common in our society. Sacrificing
animals in the ame of ‘offerings to God’, treating natural calamities as ‘weapons of
destruction’, the list of superstitions is endless.

TN18SDA768241 Cdt Vasanthkumar

KM College
Adirampattinam