Marriage and the Economic Contract - Essay Example

In some cultures, the economic underpinning of a union between a bride and groom is not only discussed but stipulated and put into practice through the arranged marriage. The Economic Contract in an arranged marriage is thus explicit as opposed to implicit and invariably includes the involvement of a third party, sometimes described as a matchmaker, and most often a member of one’s kin (Womack 145-148). There are many forms of exchange when marriages are arranged with the most common being bridewealth, bride service, and dowry.

Bridewealth (also known by the controversial term “brideprice”) is the “most common form of marriage payment” (Womack 148) and involves a transfer of wealth by the husband and his family to the family of the bride-to-be. Bride service is similar to bridewealth in that the husband compensates the family of the bride for their loss, but in this case, the groom works for the bride’s family as compensation – sometimes for many years. Dowry is the last major type of marriage exchange and is the reverse of the previous two types of exchange because in this instance the bride’s family transfers goods to the bride (or to the new couple).

The dowry system is most commonly found in Europe and in Asia. All of these transactions - bridewealth, bride service, and dowry – strengthen ties between families and in groups. Importantly, they also reinforce the economic foundation of marriage (Womack 148, 149).  The Economic Contract can have multiple implications for a bride and groom. While feminists decry the Economic Contract as a misogynist practice – admittedly the term “brideprice” sounds like the husband is “buying” the bride and that the soon-to-be wife is “for sale – the Economic Contract can, in fact, be positive (Bossen 1988).

An Economic Contract can both secure the financial future of the new couple as well strengthen bonds between families and in groups. By stipulating the economic parameters of the union at the outset, the Economic Contract reinforces ties between groups while at the same time providing an economic basis for the new union (Womack 149).