Do Men Really Want Engagement Rings Too?
Wednesday April 26, 2006
I got a press release today from a jewelry company claiming that the number of women proposing marriage is on the rise, and thus the demand for "male" engagement rings was rising as well. I tend to be a bit skeptical - for example, I see the jewelry industry's "right hand ring" campaign as having nothing to do with independent women and everything to do with getting women to spend more money on jewelry. So I meet this latest news with skepticism as well. Oh sure, I do believe that there are more women than ever proposing marriage - take singer Pink's proposal to Motocross racer Corey Hart. But do men really want an engagement ring? What do you think? Leave a comment, or sound-off in our forums!
Comments
I proposed to my husband and gave him a nice watch, which he still wears, and then we went together and bought me an engagement ring. I thought this was a good solution. He wouldn’t have worn an engagement ring.
Honestly, I think my husband would have loved to get an engagement ring. He loves his wedding band – it has more diamonds than mine.
I agree with you that this is just a ploy from the jewelry industry to encourage women to buy more jewelry. Pretty ingenius, I must say. Anything to make more money, I guess.
Alison
When we got engaged, Lord of the RIngs has just come out, so i bought my fiance a really nice replica of The Ring. He still wears it every day on his right hand. (His wedding ring is on his left.)
Yes! My Boyfriend and i are both planning on having engagement rings, i think it is a wonderful idea, because it shows not only when they are married but it also can show when they are engaged also! I think it is exciting and we are having alot of fun going from store to store together looking for a ring, for eachother!
I actually bought my husband an engagement ring. He had no idea that I had a ring for him, but when he proposed to me i just took out his ring and reversed the question on him and it was really cute on how it worked out, but I do not see a problem with a man wearing an engagement ring. Why should women be the only ones that have to wear a ring stating that they are taken?
Im a man and having been talking with my partner recently about an marriage. We have been talking about engagement rings for a few weeks when it suddenly occured to me that I would like one to. I don’t want my girlfriend to have to ’show’ that she is loved and taken, when I don’t. I would feel such pride at wearing an engagement ring for her, and with her, to show the world we are equals.
My fiance is in the military and the stigma that goes with those uniforms is the women hitting on him. For this among other reasons we chose to get him an engagement ring which he wears proudly. Even a few of his coworkers have followed our lead. I think it was a great idea because he get’s used to wearing a ring before the wedding.
My honey is definitely getting a ring… I plan on giving it to him when he proposes! I’ve decided on a titanium one with celtic knotwork on it (I figure it fits his style and represents the “knot” we will eventually be tying between the two of us). I brought it up with him in passing, just to see his reaction and he seemed very receptive. I didn’t even realize when I thought of the idea that there was a trend int he jewelry industry of making these. I just figured that he should have some tangible symbol of our committment, just as I will.
I must say, I love the idea of wearing an engagement ring. In fact, my girlfriend and I have been talking alot about marriage, and she asked me if I would wear an engagement ring instead of her…I was taken aback a bit, however, I adored the thought of her wanting me as much as I wanted her, and to show the world would be an honor….kudos to the men out there that do that! And, I am a former vetern and college football player, so, its not limited to feminine men….
OF COURSE! If this union is equal (as they all should be) then why not start with an equal engagement.
i’d just like to say that i always thought it was a given thing for men to also where engagemnt rings until recently, i’s reassuring to know that other people think its as good idea as i do.
No, no, no, no, no.
My guy and I have been recently discussing this idea. I can tell he really wants an engagement ring and YES, I intend on placing one on his finger as soon as he proposes the question. I think its rather cute he wants to show the world he is spoken for.
I have searching for rings.
My girlfriend just proposed to me and she didn’t give me a ring and I was very happy. I definitely don’t care about rings. What a waste of money that could be better spent on an awesome honeymoon!
My fiance is in the military and while he’s away from me it’s nice to know that there’s a ring on his finger saying he’s not available if I can’t be on his arm to say the same thing. (I got a tugnston ring that will NEVER scratch for only $50 on overstock.com, I highlly recommend it!)
I think it’s a great idea, especially for a long engagement. We wear a ring on our finger showing we’re “spoken for”, why shouldn’t men?
can someone give me good deal of engagement ring n wedding ring for him ? so is it meant that he will 2 ring as well like us ? many thanks
Actually, I’m in the process of shopping for an engagement ring for my boyfriend right now! At first, I was going to buy him his future wedding band, but then I changed my mind. As many of the other commenters said, it’s a tangible symbol of our committment to one and other. I plan on buying him an 18k white gold engagement ring and eventually a similar platinum wedding band to replace it.
My father had an engagement ring. Not only that, but it is yellow gold with a giant diamond pavee front. I didn’t even know it was a question: why should men not have a ring? What’s good for the goose is good for the gander…
My BF actually brought it up himself. We’ve gone out and looked at engagement rings for me (though he hasn’t officially proposed yet). Last night he said it was unfair that only the women wear rings, men should have something that shows off that they’re taken too! I told him that we could go out and find him a ring too and he seemed excited about that. I guess it just depends on the guy
my fiance is in the military and he was worried that he would get made fun of but i explained that its about equality and he understood. Once that was out of the way he was very excited to get his ring! it was a daily question, did u get it yet? so i think this generation is more receptive to the idea.
I feel that the male engagement ring is a progressive step for women in our culture. If both the female and male wear the ring it symbolizes each party’s dedication to the other, rather than the tradition of the female who has been “claimed” by the male while the male goes around “freely” for months or even years. I like the idea of co-engagement rings!
well….my bf say he dont think men wear the ring, but he from the countryside….and the town are in the old ways. so i have just send him a txt saying men can wear it ring…duno what he’ll say….but i have a funny idea….he want to propose to me….(wish me luck, that he dose)
I dont understand whats the deal with the ring. guess people will think we are married already.
but i believe that both party should wear the ring as equalship. Inatead of showing the women been “taken” and the man can wear a ringless finger untill he’s married. to me thats give the man more power. Thats put me off kind off…but if the man understand where your comming from , im sure he’ll give in, and even prode to wear it….or maybe he has some other idea….or think he toooooo manly to wear it…
I proposed to my sweetie and he’s gotten a lot of compliments on his ring (black titanium band with a small diamond accent). We’re in a small southern US city, so older people especially were a little surprised at first but have quickly become accepting and supportive. The only problem is that he’s constantly getting asked when he’s getting me my ring. I’m debating between caving and wearing a small token until we put on our wedding rings and holding firm on my original plan – a down payment on a house instead of a rock. It’s kind of a family tradition.
I proposed to my sweetie and he’s gotten a lot of compliments on his ring (black titanium band with a small diamond accent). We’re in a small southern US city, so older people especially were a little surprised at first but have quickly become accepting and supportive.
The only problem is that he’s constantly getting asked when he’s getting me my ring. I’m debating between caving and wearing a small token until we put on our wedding rings and holding firm on my original plan – a down payment on a house instead of a rock. It’s kind of a family tradition.