With this Ring, I Thee Wed

Gender differences in and related correlates of attitudes toward engagement rings and weddings are considered. College students (193 women, 112 men) completed a questionnaire assessing attitudes toward engagement rings and weddings, eros and pragma love styles, and an assessment of traditional versus egalitarian gender roles. Although predicted gender differences and hypothesized love style links were not found, gender stereotypical attitudes regarding male/female roles was positively correlated with pragma, a rational, love-planning love style; with wanting a traditional wedding; and with preferring diamonds in engagement rings. Gender transcendence was significantly correlated with an eros love style as well as with four of ten engagement ring and wedding attitude factors. Rather than indicating less interest in romantic relationships per se, a gender transcendent approach to male/female roles may be associated with egalitarian attitudes towards commitment indicators and with less of a desire for expensive engagement rings or weddings.

Ogletree, Shirley M. "With this Ring, I Thee Wed: Relating Gender Roles and Love Styles to Attitudes towards Engagement Rings and Weddings." Gender Issues 27.1-2 (2010): 67-77.