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Did you know in 97% of heterosexual married couples, the man proposes to the woman. This is a tradition as old as time, and one very few couples decide to go against. But have you ever thought why can’t a woman get down on one knee and ask her partner for his hand in marriage?
If you are keen to propose to your boyfriend, there is no reason you cannot. Attitudes to marriage and engagement have progressed a great deal, and female proposals are becoming increasingly common. If you can’t decide whether or not it is a good idea, here are a few reasons women should propose to men.
Challenging gender stereotypes
The idea that a man should propose to a woman dates back to some rather outdated and unpleasant traditions. It was originally held that marriage signified the passing of the woman as property from her father to her new husband. But feminism has completely eradicated this view in the Western world. Our idea of marriage is now one of equality. So if we can change the way we perceive marriage in this respect, why shouldn’t we challenge the tradition of a male proposal? By proposing to their male partner, a woman is helping to break down gender stereotypes and create a more equal society.
Changing attitudes
According to a 2015 survey, 70% of men would welcome their female partner proposing to them. Which goes to show that attitudes have changed a great deal in recent decades. Whereas in the past, a woman proposing might be viewed with surprise, or maybe even outrage, nowadays only the most ardent traditionalists would blink an eye.
Non-heteronormativity
The laws around marriage and divorce are constantly changing, and now it is thankfully possible in many countries for couples of any gender or sexuality to tie the knot. There is still a long way to go, but things are certainly moving in the right direction. Although there are plenty of bible verses about a husband’s role in marriage, a relationship doesn’t have to be composed of a man and a woman. As a society we are far more open-minded and accepting of the LGBTQ+ community, and rightly so. If two women can get married in the eyes of the law, it seems a little trivial to suggest that, in a heterosexual relationship, a man must propose to their female partner.
No need to wait
It may be that one member of the relationship is more keen to get married than the other. If you, as a woman, are wanting to tie the knot yet your partner is dragging his feet, why should you wait for them? It may be that they haven’t really considered the idea or are feeling nervous about proposing. Why not take the initiative and pop the question yourself? You can reach that important life milestone far quicker, and stop all this waiting around.
So what are you waiting for? There’s no need to hang around for your male partner to do all the work. We live in a new world where it’s perfectly normal and acceptable for a woman to propose.
