The Price of Bride Price? Considerations

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to consider the practice of bride price and some of the various outcomes of the practice. Of interest is better understanding cultural tradition, meaning, potential changes in meaning and their associations with the lives of young women, both adverse (e.g., relationships with poverty, domestic violence, etc.) as well as positive outcomes (e.g., higher levels of education, elevated levels of happiness, less tolerance of interpersonal violence, etc.). Considerations and implications are explored as related to the advancement of young women and girls.