New Purity Rings

History

It all started in the 1990s when safe sex and STD/STI prevention/protection was promoted by the Bush Administration. There were several organizations that encouraged teens to wear purity rings and sign virginity pledges; these organizations received federal grants from the Bush administration. They can be fancy or simple; it can be expensive or cheap. It is simply any ring that represents a goal, vow, commitment or promise to stay abstinent until marriage. The left ring finger is the most common finger on which they are worn. It is only removed and replaced later by a wedding ring, once the individual is married. As time has progressed, people also started to use them to help abstain from drinking, drugs, and other malicious acts. An abstinence ring can help one abstain from anything they consider to be wrong.

There are several different kinds of promise rings. There are some people who wear promise rings when marriage and engagement is not desired but affection and commitment wants to be shown. While others will wear a promise ring to show that engagement and marriage is desired.

Purity rings fall into this category. They signify the commitment to ones self or to another that abstinence will occur until marriage.

Who Should Wear Them?

Although they are generally more popular with young girls and guys, anyone can purchase and wear a purity ring. However, it is not uncommon for a young adult to purchase a purity ring for themselves. Purity rings have grown more and more common over the past 10 years.

Purity rings are not just for those who have never had sex. Secondary virgins, those who have previously had pre-marital sex but wish to abstain from sex until marriage, also wear abstinence or chastity rings.