Engagement Rings are Sexist?
Rob Bates reacts to an article in Slate that engagement rings are products of sexism and marketing?
I’ve always thought that some of the anger we see towards this industry, on the Internet and elsewhere, comes from the fact that men feel “forced” to buy engagement rings. Several thousand dollars is a lot to spend, and I can tell you, from first-hand experience, many grooms grumble when they do it.
But in reality, no one is forcing anyone to do anything. If a marriage is contingent upon receiving a fancy engagement ring, well, let’s just say, there are issues there. And the idea of a “cultural imperative” – as De Beers likes to describe engagement rings — means a lot less than it used to. Plenty of people today don’t have weddings, don’t wear wedding dresses, don’t even get married. (Marriage is, of course, the ultimate cultural imperative.) And if 80% of brides get a diamond engagement ring, that still leaves one in five that don’t.
If you’re a groom reading this article, did you feel ‘forced’ to buy an engagement ring for your fiancee? If you’re a woman, does the size of the rock on your finger really matter?
When Hubby and I got engaged, the size of the diamond is nothing to brag about but what I loved about the ring was in the way my Husband offered it to me. Or perhaps I’m being too naive and should’ve asked for a bigger rock?
What do you think?
You can read Rob’s full article HERE.
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POSTED IN: Getting Engaged
3 opinions for Engagement Rings are Sexist?
SP@ Southern Byways
Jun 17, 2007 at 10:06 am
My fiance at the time bought me what he could afford and I adored the ring and still do. We could afford a bigger and more expensive ring now, but it just wouldn’t be the same. The engagement ring has nothing to do with cost… at least in MHO.
:)
Kate
Feb 3, 2008 at 8:53 am
I was engaged once, and when he offered me an engagement ring I resfused. It’s pointless. To me it’s like saying: ‘I want to marry you, spend the rest of my life with you- OH! and here’s a pretty sparkley thing that you can look at and be amazed by, PLUS it’s worth a lot!’
Beth
Jul 18, 2008 at 11:00 am
Both my now husband and I got engagement rings, because we liked to both have an outward symbol and celebration of that stage of committment. His was a simple wooden band and mine from recycled gold and a “created” sapphire (www.greenkarat.com), in line with both our joy of creating a marriage and valuing environmental protection.
As an added bonus they helped us get used to wearing our wedding rings!
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