For centuries, it has been the tradition that the man proposes to the woman. But why can’t it be the other way around? Many women are now starting to challenge gender norms in a relationship – which includes taking the reins when it comes to a marriage proposal. Here are a just a few reasons why more women ought to try popping the question.
End the waiting game
It can be frustrating if you’ve been in a relationship for a while and you are ready to take the next step into marriage – but your partner has not yet proposed. It’s possible that they may be meticulously planning a proposal, but it’s also possible that they may have no interest in marriage. Either way, if you’re eager to marry, you need to know if they want the same thing – and the best way to do this is to ask them. This could prevent you from feeling as if your life is being held back, allowing you to have a say in setting the pace of your relationship.
Show your love and commitment
A marriage proposal is one of the greatest declarations of love and commitment that you can make. It could be the perfect way of showing your partner how much they mean to you. If you’re typically not very romantic, a proposal may be just what your partner needs to show that you’re serious about the relationship. Men shouldn’t be the only ones that are able to make this declaration.
Shop for the ring together
Proposing to your partner could also give you the option to go ring shopping together. This way, your partner doesn’t have to choose the ring and you can find a ring style that you like. There’s also no risk of buying the wrong ring size. Shopping for a ring together could be a romantic experience. It could be a chance to explore various jewellers and look into custom made engagement rings. You can also buy a ring for them so that it feels like a joint gift-giving experience.
The problems with proposing first
Because proposing to a man isn’t the done thing, there are some complications that you have to be wary of. If your partner has been planning a proposal, they may get frustrated if you then sabotage their plans. Even if they hadn’t got a proposal planned, they may feel they’ve had this moment taken away from them.
Some women may also not like the idea of reversing roles. You may have long dreamt of being proposed to. There may also be fears that because your partner hasn’t proposed yet, they aren’t interested in marriage.
There are a few ways in which you may be able to overcome these concerns and reduce any chance of it going wrong:
- Consider opting for a private proposal. This gives you a better chance of getting an honest reaction than a public proposal and allows the moment to be more intimate.
- Plan it out and make it special. You want to come across as sincere.
- Emphasise the fact that they can still propose back. This allows them to still have their moment and allows you to still experience being proposed to.