At one time or other in most societies, the practice of the brides parents giving a dowry (a gift of money, furniture and clothing), to accompany the bride in to her new life was common.
 |
| Many Anti Dowry Campaigns Failed |
In some societies, the dowry was the bride and
grooms 'seed' wealth, until the groom received his own fathers inheritance in due time e.g Europe. Whilst in others e.g. South Asia, it was the grooms father who controlled
it, as the bride was entering in to his 'control', after leaving her father's
control ~ women in all societies at this time were usually in a subordinate status in their families, and effectively 'owned' by men.
