Engagement Rings and Ethics

Before a couple heads towards the wedding there is first the matter of engagement rings. The procurement of engagement rings is seen to be the beginning of the process of preparing for the wedding. Once the point of engagement rings is reached, most of us would like to think that the next step is a straight line to that day of public recognition of the bond between the betrothed. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

In recent news there has been mention of the rather interesting, if slightly disconcerting news regarding engagement rings. As most are aware, even if we would rather not believe, many engagements do not end in marriage. While this can be difficult for the parties involved, there is also the matter of who keeps the engagement rings?

Unfortunately, the issue of engagement rings and a broken engagement can cause much stress and sometimes even legal problems for the broken couple. Legality is not the only issue, however. There is the important issue of the ethics of the returning of engagement rings. Following proper etiquette in regards of engagement rings and broken engagements will normally help quickly solve this problem, and even help heal wounds. Strangely enough, however, as mentioned earlier, recent news has indicated that some believe that any engagement rings given over the holiday season need not be returned, even if the person ending the engagement is the recipient of an engagement ring.

This issue has caused some ethical questioning in the area of engagement rings. Some ethicists are finding the entire issue to lead to unethical behavior on the part of those who would give or receive engagement rings. For example, there are now advice columns for men advising against offering engagement rings over the holiday season, while there are some advice columns for women advising to ask for engagement rings specifically over the holiday season.

Perhaps the easiest solution the problem of engagement rings and a broken engagement is to work hard to prevent the engagement from failing in the first place. With effort and understanding, the engagement period can be relieved of some of its most stressful moments and problems can be diffused before they can become truly irreconcilable. Engagement rings, and who should have them in a breakup, need not be a problem that a caring, loving couple will not need to deal with if they are willing to work as a team to maintain their loving relationship for one another.

Contributing Abazias Diamond Staff Writer


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