The answer is no but please do not let anyone insult you for asking that question which may have insulted over a billion people on this planet. There is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people that ask questions.
While there is a philosophical argument to be made that marriage is just a form of legalized prostitution, it's only that -- a philosophical question.
And FYI: it's not just Muslims, Jews, and Hindus that have a dowry system. Dowry's have been around in ALL cultures and religions since the concept of marriage was first introduced.
Yes, it is not legally prostitution when MARRIAGE is involved. If anything, it would be closer to slavery. You could argue the parents are SELLING the bride.
No. in cultures in which dowries are traditionally common, women are regarded as the property of their father or male head of household. The dowry is paid to him, not to her. And it is paid for the other family to take her. With prostitution, the money is often paid to her, and is explicitly for sex, not for someone to become a new member of the household.
Is there a legal distinction between paying dowry and paying for prostitution. Or are
