Engagement Rings

[Archivist]

It is traditional in a relationship that the man gives the woman an engagement ring. The custom has become so institutionalized that we are even told how many months salary is to be spent on the ring.

This custom certainly made sense in the days when women did not work outside the home. In fact, the ring once served as a sort of "insurance policy" to provide income for the wife in the event of her husband's death.

Does this custom make sense today when both parties are generally employed and where the woman might actually have greater earning power? Should the custom of giving an engagement ring be abolished or perhaps modified so that the man and the woman each buy a ring of similiar value for each other?

 

[mina]

Expensive rings are nice, but I wouldn't care if it was a sparkly big diamond or glass and tin as long as the feelings and love behind the material thing was real and true. Rings are wonderful symbolic things, but it's important to not get entirely wrapped up in the value of the ring and forget what the rings are symbolizing.

 

[California Dreamin']

I look forward to getting one someday..

 

[heavenliejediofthebeach]

I look forward to getting one someday..

me too

 

[plum]

As for the tradition, i'd love it if my fiance (well, if i ever get one) could also have an engagement ring. It symbolizes the path to a covenant and I think that since the man and woman will belong to each other (not just the woman to the man) that they could both show signs of this relationship stage...

but yeah, money and buying power doesn't matter...

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

I cant wait to have one someday also.
Its just I donno old fashioned and I guess Im a sap like that.

 

[stormgade4]

I can't wait to give one. It's going to be a big rock! Nothing less than the best.

 

[Blank123]

I can't wait either to get one someday.

but I probably wouldn't really care if the guy I'm with could afford an expensive one anyway.

 

[FaithfulServant]

I think that the male should still give the engagement ring, but it doesn't matter how expensive it it. The price tag is not important, although I think many girls dream of a pretty ring to cherish

 

[TheDatelessLoserX2]

I can't wait to give one. It's going to be a big rock! Nothing less than the best.

My thoughts exactly, nothing less than the best.

 

[Mandi N.]

does this whole custom make "perfect" sense? no. but neither do weddings. waaayy to expensive. but the weddings themselves mean something: a symbol of love and commitment. engagement rings are kinda like that. if the problem is "earning power", well, i guess the future bride could go out and get a nice engagement gift for her fiancee. honestly, i don't think it's the cost of the ring that matters.

 

[Ceris]

When I propose (God knows when and to whom), I'm going to make sure the ring is slightly different (i.e. not whatever the popular normal style is at that time).

 

[Cordelia]

I'd love to be given one too Wouldn't matter if it wasn't a huge rock worth tens of thousands, as long as it was from the right guy. To be honest, I prefer pink sapphire eternities to diamond solitaires anyway!

 

[jay_swift]

I'd love to be given one too Wouldn't matter if it wasn't a huge rock worth tens of thousands, as long as it was from the right guy. To be honest, I prefer pink sapphire eternities to diamond solitaires anyway!

Note to self: buy pink sapphire eternity

 

[Cordelia]

Note to self: buy pink sapphire eternity

Awww lol, yay

 

[Bks Finest]

that was funny
im just waiting for the day when im lucky enough
to buy one for that special lady

 

[violetstar]

I hope to get one soon, but girls are more partial too jewelry not men.

 

[Living4Him03]

As long as it has a silver band and is modest, yet pretty I will love it. Yes, I will love anything from my future fiance but I should hope he'll know me well enough to at least meet the criteria I gave above.

 

[Living4Him03]

oh and pink is an excellent color

 

[tyberium]

Not only am I looking forward to buying a ring for who ever the Lord brings into my life, but I want to propose in a special way. I think that will add to the moment. People think of interesting ways all the time, infact if I cant find a topic on it I am going to start one!