Owing the daughter-in-law: Bridewealth and the dynamics of intergenerational care in rural China.

This article examines the evolving role of bridewealth—the substantial marriage gift given by the groom’s patriline to the daughter-in-law’s family—in rural Henan, China, highlighting its significance amid rapid social change. Through ethnographic research, it challenges traditional exchange theory by framing bridewealth not merely as reciprocal gift exchange but as a relational practice embedded in uncertainty, obligation, and care that establishes new intergenerational attachments. The study reveals how rising bridewealth costs reflect shifting family dynamics, including the reversal of age-based authority, increased demands on mothers-in-law, and the growing importance of daughters-in-law within the family. It also situates bridewealth within broader transformations such as migration, economic reforms, and changing gender roles, showing how it functions both as a moral signal of respect and a strategic investment in future filial support despite uncertain returns.