Promise or provoker?

By April Perry
Hurricane High School

Back in the days of drive-in movies and black and white TVs, promise rings symbolized seriousness within a relationship. The problem now is that everything has an alternative motive.

These days, you have to wonder why you are receiving the ring. Is your boyfriend giving it to you because he really loves you and wants you to know that sustaining your relationship is important to him? Or is he making you think he’s interested in the future, when really he just wants one thing: sex.

As long as there are no hidden reasons for his giving you the ring, a promise ring is a wonderful symbol. “I don’t think there is anything wrong with promise rings as long as you’re going to stick with your promise,” said Hurricane sophomore Michaela Mitchell.

Some girls might wonder, “What can a cheap piece of metal do for me?” They may want to hold out for a diamond on their ring finger. But the promise ring, though not a wedding ring, can be good for couples who want to show their affection but are not financially, emotionally or physically ready for the next step — engagement.

The couples that do choose to give this gift feel that they are ready to make a promise to be with no one but each other. However, they are not ready to put on wedding gowns and tuxes or play house.

“I think promise rings are sweet for a boy to get his girlfriend,” sophomore Megan Wood said.

“My view is that it’s a nice gesture, but I feel some guys may give it to their girlfriends out of pressure more than love,” countered sophomore Sadi Phillips.

Junior Nathan Mohebi also sees no use for promise rings. “I don’t think that you need a piece of jewelry to show someone you love that you care about them,” he said.

Some couples may see the promise ring as their first chance to boldly prove their love and pride in their relationship. Others may see it as a mere ornamental gesture. But no matter what point of view you choose to take with the giving of a promise ring, it’s what you choose to make out of the exchange that truly counts.