Bridewealth: another incentive to stay married

I want to talk more about bridewealth but not without defining it.   I consider this a beginning definition.  It is from an Encyclopædia Britannica Article:

bridewealth

also called  bride-price  or  marriage payment 
payment made by a groom or his kin to the kin of the bride in order to ratify a marriage....
The payment .... consolidates friendly relations between them [the families], provides a material pledge that the woman and her children will be well treated, symbolizes her worth to the community, and provides a level of compensation to her natal family for the loss of her labour and company. Bridewealth is often one part of a reciprocal exchange, in which case it is accompanied by the provision of a dowry —a payment presented by the bride's family to that of the groom.
Bridewealth may consist of money or goods, and it may be paid in one sum or in installments over a period of time. 

" bridewealth ."  Encyclopædia Britannica Online. http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9016419>