Mercenary marriages: the dire effects of a dowry
How a a gift of substantial monetary value can also have negative consequences
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The custom of dowry—the payment, such as money or property, paid by a bride's family to a groom or his family at the time of marriage—is as ancient as it is controversial. Condemned in some quarters, dowry is nonetheless regarded as the norm in patrilineal cultures, where women are expected to reside with or near their husband's family. And in the 21st century, dowries continue to be expected and demanded as a condition to accept a marriage proposal. So, what are the origins of this centuries-old tradition, and how can it affect women?
Click through and find out more about the dowry system.
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