typically, when a man proposes to a woman and she accepts, he places a ring on her finger, and later they get married. the thing is the man paid for the ring but he didn't give it to her as a gift, but a symbol and a token of their commitment.
who actually owns it? the man or the woman?
2007-09-11 12:13:35 · 33 answers · asked by Gruntled Employee 6 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Hey! the engagement ring is a symbol of a promise to wed. If for some reason the marriage doesn't happen then the man should get the ring back. HOWEVER, if the marriage takes place then the ring belongs thereafter to the woman.
2007-09-11 12:23:22 · answer #1 · answered by birdman 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Woman. I say this because when a man buys a ring and put it on a woman's hand that yes he is showing a token of their commitment, but what is a commitment if when things go south you ask for it back. Plus you make extra bonus points with all other women when you don't make a fuss over it. It makes you look like the bigger person when she wants to fight about it, and she will want too. I know and understand that this is allot of money we are talking about but wouldn't it be worth it just to be done with her. I did this and it drove her insane because I made it a none issue. I still get a smile when I think about it.
2007-09-11 12:38:56 · answer #2 · answered by Johhny 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Once you are married the woman owns it. If the engagement is broken off by the woman then she must return it to the man. If he breaks off the engagement then she can keep it. If the ring was a family heirloom then she must return it no matter what. The law sees engagement rings as an unwritten contract for marriage. The person who breaks the contract must give up the ring.
2007-09-11 12:25:55 · answer #3 · answered by Luv2Answer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anytime you "give" someone something, you are doing just that: giving it to them. That is why a gift of that nature should be a very well thought out decision. And yes, the ring may symbolic of a bond or commitment, but it is still never the less "given" to the other person.
However, any decent woman would return the ring. Why would she want to keep such a thing if the relationship is over?
2007-09-11 12:23:07 · answer #4 · answered by gg55 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The ring is a symbol of the promise to marry. If the engagement is broken, the ring must be returned to the man - because it is not a gift in the regular sense.
However, once married, it's all hers, baby!
2007-09-12 01:04:38 · answer #5 · answered by Lydia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that the woman owns it. Once it is slipped onto her finger it is given to her as a gift and a promise. So if the wedding goes forward and all that, it is hers forever.
If the wedding does not go ahead then it depends on why it was called off. If he called it off or cheated or such, then she keeps it and deservedly so. Compensation.
If she calls it off, then she returns it to the man....why he would want it I do not know but it is good manners to give (or throw) it back at him. Then maybe the cheapskate can palm the same ring off on the next contestant.
If the couple divorce, then she keeps the rings.
2007-09-11 12:52:35 · answer #6 · answered by bluegirl6 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My opinion (I am a woman) is it should go back to the man. You are right, it is a sign of commitment. As a side note, my brother was engaged once and she kept the ring. Come to find out she had 5 others from guys (he did not find out till much later)
2007-09-11 12:18:40 · answer #7 · answered by reneem1954_2000 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is usually considered a conditional gift in contemplation of marriage. Unless it was an heirloom ring, it belongs to the bride after the marriage. Even then a prenuptial agreement may be needed if the man wants it back after marriage.
Before the marriage it is more complicated, it depends on local laws, and also may depend on the breakup, and if it was given on a birthday or a holiday.
2007-09-12 01:36:18 · answer #8 · answered by no_frills 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're splitting hairs here...yes it's a symbol of your commitment, but it's also a gift, which once given to the girl becomes HER property. It would only be proper if she returned it IF she decided not to marry the man. Otherwise, in all other circumstances, she keeps the ring!
2007-09-11 12:20:09 · answer #9 · answered by ((♫♥♪♫♥♪♫ Shivers ♫♥♪♫♥♪)) 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Without getting the law into it, I think that it depends on who breaks the engagement. If the woman breaks it she should give it back, if the man breaks it he should let her keep it. But if he caught her cheating on him and he breaks the engagement he should still get the ring back because the engagement was broken due to her actions. I think it depends on the circumstances of the relationship and how it ended. There is no clear cut answer stating that one gender should ALWAYS get the ring when the engagement ends. It wouldn't be fair if there was.
2007-09-11 13:20:13 · answer #10 · answered by lilacdelight 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋