choices-females only leave, which we call patrilocal or virilocal residence males only leave, which we call matrilocal or uxorilocal residence females or males leave, which we call bilocal residence both males and females leave, which we call neolocal residence neither gender leaves, which we call duolocal residence. Since no existing society allows sex or marriage between brothers and sisters or between parents and children, some children when they grow up must leave their homes or home villages and move to their spouses’ natal places of residence. IntroductionIn most of the societies known to anthropology, married couples live with or near the groom’s or bride’s kin. Therefore this paper shall examine the possible justifications of this practice and its relevance to the current civilization while at the same time expose some grounds for its refutation. These have been seen as alternatives that reduce the pressure on individuals who wish to have their unions recognized but are challenged by the dowry factor. Given the changing times other alternatives have been used to make marriages official for example affidavits and administrative recognition.

This concern has been prompted by the fact that in contemporary society it could be an impediment to happy marriages while some couples have questioned its very relevance. This paper intends to examine the roots of this practice with specific reference to the African milieu where husbands are expected to honor dowry requirements. In most African societies, it is the groom's family's responsibility while in other jurisdictions, for example India it is placed on the bridal family. The payment of dowry in the marriage process is a practice that is upheld in many societies and is a significant pillar in most marriages especially in the African context.

The Dowry by Maggie Gould