'Man-gagement' rings encircle America

21.05.12

Coontz admits “I don't know of any historical precedent for a man-gagement ring.” After considerable research, I too have found no examples of an American woman giving her man an MR before 2008. That was when Beyoncé released her hit song Single Ladies (Put a ring on it) . Some have interpreted its enigmatic lyrics to suggest that an unwed gal needs to take the initiative and propose to her boyfriend, or else he’ll leave her. She’ll then have to listen to the Gospel of Beyoncé: “If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it.”

September 2008 witnessed the MR’s historic public debut. Singer Jennifer Hudson, who wowed the world earlier this month with her Grammys tribute to Whitney Houston, gave her boyfriend, Harvard-educated wrestler David Otunga, a $15,000, five-carat platinum and diamond MR. Its delighted designer Neil Lane glowed to Brides.com : “Diamonds are still a girl's best friend. Now we've reached a point where a little sparkle is a guy's best friend too."

Source: Telegraph.co.uk