In this context un-wed mothers, separated, single or unfaithful women are considered outcasts. Living out of wedlock with a partner is still virtually unheard of. It is incumbent on the girl's family to make the first move towards a matrimonial union. Many young women have to have huge dowries attached to them to ensure marriage. A price is placed on the boy's head based on his education, economic and social status.
Many fathers go heavily into debt, even bankrupt, trying to pay for the dowry.
In villages, dowries are given in the form of cattle, land and jewelry. In Muslim families, the boy's family takes the first step to ask for the girl. First, a respected family of equal status to the girl's family is selected. Its antecedents are examined for insanity, felon, and undesirable behavior. A girl is then selected from that family.