How did the dowry contribute to female children being less desirable than male children?

The dowry system often placed a financial burden on families with female children, as they were expected to provide a substantial gift or payment to the groom's family upon marriage. This expectation made male children more desirable, as families viewed them as economic assets who would remain and support the household. Consequently, the preference for sons reinforced gender inequality and led to practices that devalued female children, contributing to their neglect or even abandonment in some cultures. This dynamic perpetuated a cycle of disadvantage for women throughout generations.