Responses
is for face value. and to show how powerful a family is. status was very important in asia. it's stupid but it also was something to help the wife status in the home to not get looked down upon. in the end the dowries belong to the person who brought it in and to pass down to their children. more like inheritance. is just that in name it's added under the family assets. and they are to help the family if needed.
I know it's an old custom but I dont understand it? So they give all treasures and money to the spouse as if like they are bribing for themselves? The more the dowry the more important you are?