What is being paid for in marriage payments?

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Exploring the concept of marriage payments, this essay critiques the traditional view that focuses solely on material exchanges, arguing instead for a broader understanding tied to social reproduction. It challenges structural-functionalist perspectives that reduce marriage transactions to a simple exchange of money for rights. The author emphasizes that rights encompass various aspects of social life, including women, children, and sexuality, suggesting that these elements are part of a complex system of reciprocal exchanges rather than mere economic transactions.