Personally I have no respect for a woman who puts a value on herself when she is about to get married. For years you have been a man’s girlfriend, he has been a great guy to you (let’s assume), and you have waited, anticipated for that day when he goes down on his knees and proposes. Finally the day comes and you are over the moon, he even earns major bonga points for his romantic touch that led to the big question. So at what point do you decide that your strong bond no longer exists until your husband to be pays your parents some unrealistic amount which usually consists of a mix of livestock and cash.
The stage of offerings dowry used to be a form of appreciating the girl’s parents over a period of years but nowadays its a commercial venture which is just a contradiction of real partnership. If you really wanted him to marry you then why are you now teaming up or should I say ganging up with dear daddy and mummy to extort him! Talk of indirect gold digging. It offends me and many men when the excuse to extort is based on the years of investment your Dad, in particular, put into schooling you and raising you. That was his responsibility as it will be for your husband who will be so broke he won’t afford the honeymoon by the time your family is done with him.
Let’s not beat around the bush, you are actually putting a value on your vagina in my opinion so why in hell should I not put a value on my shaft which makes your eyes roll and at times due to the immense pleasure you sound like you’ve been caught in a bear trap probably getting off from the pain.
Clever women, unlike the one in this photo, know that siding with their folks is always the beginning of the end for their marriage. Especially in these economic times I would advise any man who notices lack of support from his ‘wife to be’ to just bail, you might as well do it sooner than later.
Too many couples are going through marriage rifts due to financial pressures that were escalated by dishing out more than what the man could afford to gain a wife who after all is done will still expect a certain life style forgetting that ‘daddy dearest’ is the reason why you are broke. Which means you will kiss good bye to that mortgage or other investments that you had planned for. In short starting a marriage in debt or with limited funds is a recipe for disaster. If you enter the domain of marriage as single units who will only be bonded by the ceremony then you are doomed. Give each other support every step of the way, especially the women, if you have to put a value to yourself then consider what your man can afford and stand up for him when it comes to your parents. There’s no point pressuring a man to deliver the wedding of the year after giving your folks a fortune only for you to divorce after a year or less. I see it too often so you can disagree with my advise but do it at your peril.

Great Job Maurice, came upon this article and the other one warning us to know who you’re marrying. I have to say they are both refreshing reads, and it’s nice to get relationship perspectives and advice that i can relate to as an african woman. Seeing as i live in the diaspora, am more exposed to Christian Carter and the like. Kudos!
Christine, Bosto
Cheers for reading
You know Maurice, I couldn’t agree with you more on this. Many a times tradition is taken of context – and frankly abused to benefit a few members of an extended family. More often, I’ve seen, it is the aunties and uncles – not even the parents that push for these things.
Good to know there are people out there who find the concept of paying dowry in this day an age inappropriate. How do you determine the value of a woman in term goats and cash? It’s ridiculous. And the fact that we hide behind ‘tradition’ to justify these practices is even more ridiculous.
Thanks Maurice!