Describe dowry and assess its relevance for the modern world.?

Question

Describe dowry and assess its relevance for the modern world.?

Answer 1

Dowries were and are still important in some places. In cultures where brides go to live with the grooms family, that family has another mouth to feed. A lot of these cultures are agriculturally based and the women don't work the fields. So the dowry serves two purposes: it pays for the room and board of the bride until she makes a place in the new family and it gives the new couple some finances to start with. In some cultures, especially old European countries, part of the dowry would go back to the bride if she was widowed to give her financial protection.

Answer 2

Dowry has already been described in previous posts...sooo:

"Modern world" ...there's your distinction right there.

it has no place in the modern world. Civilisation has evolved from such primitive practices. Sure in many areas in India and other regions where we indians have spread to, some still cling to their heritage *cough* heathens *cough*.

Answer 3

Dowry was what the Bride's father gave to the Groom for marring the daughter.  It was sort of payment for taking the daughter off of his hands.  Usually it was among the wealthy, and a prospective husband would look for a bride dependent upon the dowry that he would receive if he were to marry.  Marriage was not always for love, a lot of times it was for money, such as in "The Taming of the Shrew".

It is not at all relevant to today's world.  Parents do not pay to have their children married off.  Well, at least not in our culture.  I am sure in some cultures, I believe that it is still in existance in parts of India and some of the Muslim countries.  But, here we marry for love, and maybe one set of parents is wealthy and will give the couple money to start out their life together, but it isn't looked upon as a dowry, just a helping hand. Luckily we are able to marry who we want, even if it is not the choice of our parents, and even if our parents threaten to cut us off without a dime of inherentence, as does happen.

Answer 4

http://www.google.com/search?q=dowry

Answer 5

i always understood a dowry to be something that the parents or father of a girl gave her or her fiance depending on the culture for their wedding day.

now it seems that there is not much of that sort. seems more like the "dowry" has taken form of wedding gifts and bridal registries.