It’s okay to break out of societal expectations, it’s the 21st century! Marriage is one of the most important, yet memorable milestones in your life. Everyone has different ways and perspectives on how a proposal should go, but there are no rules when it comes to spending the rest of your life with your significant other. Love is love and love wins.
The toxic trend of only one partner proposing to the other based on gender has been holding us back for way too long. According to The Atlantic, 97% of men propose to their female partners, which means that only 3% of women are open-minded to plan a proposal themselves. Today, many stereotypes are being challenged to transform people’s minds, so it’s a perfect time to challenge this one as well.
One reason for women to propose first is because proposing is a huge decision that can shape the rest of your life, so why would 97% of women who are certain about getting married just wait around for it to happen? The answer is quite simple. Women are still being ostracized for breaking traditional relationship norms. However, as times are changing attitudes towards women proposing bring one clear insight: if you want to, go for it.
There are a plethora of famous women who have proposed to their significant other, such as award-winning actress Kristen Bell. Her husband, Dax Shepard, had proposed to her in 2009, but the couple pledged not to get married until everyone legally could. The Supreme Court then ruled the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which states, “that no State, territory, or possession of the United States or Indian tribe shall be required to give effect to any marriage between persons of the same sex under the laws of any other such jurisdiction…”. Bell celebrated marriage equality by asking Shepard to marry her.
The American singer-songwriter star P!nk, took her marital status into her own hands by proposing to motocross star Carey Hart at the Pro 250 class finals. Six months later the couple tied the knot, and now share a daughter and son.
Be the captain of your fate, don’t wait.