Zhang, Junsen; Chan, William M. - 1999
marriage. If that were the only reason, we would not have observed the coexistence of dowries and bride-prices. This paper … offers an alternative analysis. While Becker's interpretation is retained for bride-prices, a dowry is now represented as a … premortem bequest by altruistic parents for a daughter. It not only increases the wealth of the new conjugal household but also …