Turning a gendered stigma on its head, Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn proposed to her fiancé and popped the question with a ring. Hockey star P.K. Subban had proposed to Vonn in August this year and while the couple had been engaged for some four months, the skier decided to get a ring for her fiancé. “Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!! On our 2 year anniversary, in a “non-traditional” move, I asked PK to marry me and he said, Yes ! Women aren’t the only ones who should get engagement rings!” she wrote in her tweet. How many women would do what Vonn has done? Just what keeps women from buying an engagement ring for their partners?
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn proposed to her fiancé and gave him a ring on Christmas.
- It is mostly men who pop the question of marriage. While that needs to change, what stops women from buying an engagement ring for their partners?
- An engagement ring is a symbol of your commitment and declaration of your intention to spend your life with your beloved.
- If we believe in equality and the concept of engagement, then shouldn't this declaration happen both ways?
"Men should get engagement rings too and this is what PK deserves." - Skier Lindsey Vonn on proposing to her fiance
Vonn further elaborated in an Instagram post as to what made her propose to her fiancé, “We talk about equality but actions speak louder than words,” she added. “Men should get engagement rings too and this is what PK deserves. Can’t wait to marry you babe.” I couldn’t agree more with what Vonn says why mustn’t men get an engagement ring? An engagement is not just a promise to marry; it is a proclamation of dedication, love and an intention to spend the rest of your life with your beloved. The commitment happens both ways, but then it is largely men who formalise the engagement by giving a ring to their partner. That can surely be changed.
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Marriage proposal in itself is an arena that woman are yet to conquer. We do not come across many incidences where women take the lead in their relationships and pop the question. While that needs to change, even if they don’t propose, women can surely present an engagement ring to their fiancé. If you partner and you believe in equality in a relationship, then this gesture makes it clear that the commitment runs both ways and that you are equally sure of it.
Besides, it is not just any ring that we are talking about here. Engagement rings are a lavish affair, for those who are truly taken by the concept of it. The onus of making this expensive purchase however mostly falls on men which doesn’t seem fair. It also establishes initial dynamics in a relationship where the burden of financial decisions like saving and managing expenditures falls on the opposite gender and thus women by default become caregivers.
If you partner and you believe in equality in a relationship, then this gesture makes it clear that the commitment runs both ways and that you are equally sure of it.
Buying an engagement ring for your (prospective) fiancé seems like a good way to break the cycle of gendered duties allotted to us by patriarchy. It also seems to say, “We are in this together on an equal footing.” The cost of the ring isn't of importance, no matter who is buying, it is the sentiment behind it that matters.
Also Read: Why Should A Woman Change Herself After Marriage?
So ladies, give back the love and commitment that you get from your partners. Buy them an engagement ring as a sign of your commitment. You can go ahead and take the first step by initiating a marriage proposal as well, but even if you don’t, telling someone how much you love them and are serious about starting a new life with them is never a bad idea. If you expect a ring, then why not be prepared to give one too? Remember how great it feels to be at the receiving end of these sentiments? Perhaps your partner will feel the same joy as well. And if you truly love someone, isn’t that worth it?
Image Credit: Lindsey Vonn/Twitter
Yamini Pustake Bhalerao is a writer with the SheThePeople team, in the Opinions section. The views expressed are author’s own.
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