What is a dowry?

A dowry refers to property, money, or other forms of wealth that a bride's family gives to the groom or his family upon marriage, historically as a condition or custom. Jordan Harbinger discusses the concept of dowry in a modern context, noting it as a commodification of the bride that can be common in certain cultures, even though it might seem inappropriate or outdated according to Western standards. He describes dowries as problematic when they come into conflict with personal values, suggesting that one could negotiate or reinterpret the tradition to better align with one's values, such as turning it into a symbolic gesture rather than a financial transaction 1.