The custom traces back to an era when arranged marriages were common, and the "giving away" of the bride denoted a transfer of ownership. Young women were used as collateral to settle debts or problems with neighboring tribes, as well as to raise the father's status by marrying off his daughter to a wealthy family. At the end of this time, the wife was not allowed to divorce her husband; only death could separate them. Today, the tradition is still observed in some cultures around the world. For example, in India, it is customary for the parents of the bride to give away their daughter at her wedding ceremony. The purpose is to show how valuable the woman being married will be to her new husband and to indicate that she is now part of her new family. In addition, the groom may also give away his bride if he does not have any money or if the family cannot afford a dowry. If this happens, then the man will take care of the wife and children until she dies or he does. This is called "being tied up together forever." In most countries, the bride is given away by her father, brother, uncle, or legal guardian. They can give away their own sister or niece if they want to. In fact, it is usually the younger sisters or female relatives who are given away because men need to marry money or status, things that women tend to do not cost much.