Dowry

A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to a marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid by the groom or his family to the bride's parents, and with dower, which is property given to the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both dowry and bride price. Dowry is an ancient custom, and its existence may well . Dowries continue to be expected in some parts of the world, mainly South Asia.

There are several possible functions for a dowry system. One function of a dowry may be to provide the husband with "seed money" or property for the establishment of a new household and to help feed and protect the family. Another may be to provide the wife and children with some support if he were to die.

Another function of the dowry may be as compensation for bride price. This may be the case in cultures where the dowry and bride price are both customary.

Many authors believe that the giving and receiving of dowry reflects social status and even the effort to climb higher in a social hierarchy.

A dowry may also have served as a form of protection for the wife against the possibility of ill treatment by her husband and his family,providing an incentive for the husband not to harm his wife. This would apply in cultures where a dowry was expected to be returned to the bride's family if she died soon after marrying.