Source: Twitter X

I’m not sure what you’re asking me to consider. In general, dowries and equivalents exist for (a) contributing to the establishment of a household (b) ensuring the financial security of the daughter in the case the marriage failed for some reason. In the ancient world a woman would return to her father (parents). In the bronze age, she would also retain her children under a certain age (usually twelve or so), and the father the older children (esp boys). I don’t see any religious influence other than codification of this behavior since it’s largely universal and nearly a necessity. Also, say, you have a daughter that could marry a better man if she brought with her some assets (because people thought of these things in the past).

Reply addressees: @patriciamdavis @thaeus01