For better or worse: the changing custom of bride price

In many communities the bride price tradition has evolved from exchanging commodities like food, pigs and shell money, to giving Kina, Vatu or Dollars. In some recent cases, bride price payments have exceeded K400,000. When the amount of money is at this level, what does it mean for the woman? Is there still a place for this custom today? And if it is here to stay, what needs to change?