Female empowerment has taken a new turn in the era of #MeToo, with many women “fighting the patriarchy” by proposing to their boyfriends. While their reasons for bucking tradition may vary, these women are finding it more acceptable than ever before.
Last spring, feminists lost their minds over the news that millennial men prefer traditional family arrangements with stay-at-home moms. Now, they are taking the bull by the horns in what seems like an effort to gain the upper hand.
As millennials continue to postpone marriage compared to previous generations, it’s no wonder why women of this generation are so eager to tie the knot. Nearly 25 percent of millennials are delaying marriage due to student loan debt and a large percentage have become complacent with cohabitation. Marriage-ready women are getting sick and tired of waiting for the stars to align for their boyfriends, and the new women’s movement has given them the perfect impetus to turn the tables.
For some, it’s solely a matter of feminist principle.
Rebecca Reed joined thousands of other feminists at the New York City Women’s March in January, and believes the timing of her proposal during the women’s movement made it even “more of a statement.” After a year of dating, Reed proposed to her boyfriend because she didn’t want to be like a “kept woman”—wearing a ring while her now-fiancé could remain ring-free.
Reed said she felt like getting down on one knee was “super antiquated,” and opted to slip her boyfriend a note with a $10 titanium engagement ring instead. She also designed her own engagement ring after the proposal rather than waiting for him to take her ring shopping.
Interestingly enough, wedding planner Jesse Reing believes one factor driving the engagement trend is “growing economic equality” between men and women.
“I think one thing that makes the man wait is the ring,” Reing said. “But now we are seeing a lot of people making the same amount of money, especially in New York.”
Could feminists actually be proving that the gender pay gap is a myth?
The numbers certainly don’t lie. Millennial men are earning one-fifth less than they were in 1980 when wages are adjusted for inflation, despite being more educated than ever before. Marriage would statistically help these men. On average, young married men, aged 28 to 30, make around $16,000 more than their single peers.
Financially speaking, women may just be doing men a favor by taking the lead on this one.
Brendan Pringle (@BrendanPringle) is a freelance journalist in California. He is a National Journalism Center graduate and formerly served as a development officer for Young America’s Foundation at the Reagan Ranch.
