Fubar you need to understand that a 'dowry' in concept is more of a gift than it is financial security, this concept may have changed with time but that is essentially what a 'dowry' means to Muslims.

However it is advised to reduce the monetary value of a 'dowry' in order to encourage marriage and discourage celibacy.

Times have changed and now more people consider it some sort of financial security for the bride or in other cases most of it is used by the bride to fund her preparations for the wedding.