Why do some men dump their wedding rings?

In almost all parts of the world, marriage is richly celebrated. This is done in different styles, influenced by culture and religion, to mark a solemnisation respected by individuals, community, law and the world at large. Thus, the wedding ring is often used by some to symbolise the unity of couples in matrimony. However, some […]

In almost all parts of the world, marriage is richly celebrated. This is done in different styles, influenced by culture and religion, to mark a solemnisation respected by individuals, community, law and the world at large. Thus, the wedding ring is often used by some to symbolise the unity of couples in matrimony. However, some men prefer not to or refuse to wear their rings, despite knowing what it symbolises. This week, Life Extra serves you some interesting responses to the issue.
Chukwu Nwabueze, a school teacher pointed to his wedding ring and said: “As you can see, I have my wedding ring on. Some men don’t wear their rings for various personal reasons. I have a married friend who is an engineer, but doesn’t wear his ring due to the nature of his job which requires him to climb up buildings, make use of tools like the hammer and chisel. So wearing any form of hand accessory could lead to injury in the line of duty.”
But “those men who refuse to wear their wedding rings are dubious and shady characters,” concluded Ibukunoluwa Amao, an unmarried woman. “If not, why should a married man refuse to wear the symbol that shows to the world that he is married? A man who does that is either ashamed of being married or is not proud of the woman he got married to.”  
Aliu Azeez had a very firm response to the issue: “My religion doesn’t enforce that a married man must wear a ring because you are entitled to more than one wife. For example, would you wear three rings when you marry three wives? Hence, it is not compulsory. The women wear, but many, if not all of the men, don’t wear wedding rings.”
Another unmarried woman, Uwa Aghedo noted that: “I have actually wondered about it and have never gotten a good reason why they shouldn’t. Some of them would tell you, they don’t feel comfortable wearing it. Others would say they don’t like finger accessories or that it affects their productivity at work. I personally don’t accept these reasons, they are flimsy to me, except you have your middle finger chopped off or a more suitable reason is given, you have no reason not to wear your wedding ring.”
However, Joseph Ine, who is single, stated that: “Know this; men are more inclined to revolt against any institution that seemingly makes them lose some of their powers. Marriage is one of those. So some men feel the only possible revolt against it, is not to wear the ring.” Ine added that: “Women just follow the books, but a man doesn’t like to feel like he is under some rule or tied down. They don’t like the whole control thing. It is not like they have to be cheaters to be this way. They just don’t see or feel it necessary to wear a ring to show a sign of devotion or love.”
Jerry Ozule says men not wearing their wedding bands, is one of the reason that makes women think most men are promiscuous: “They claim they don’t fancy it, but they actually cause women to think all men are the same. I don’t see why a married man would not wear his marriage symbol, which is his ring, except he has ulterior motives.” Ozule explained that: “We tend to justify our lapses and mistakes as humans but should what is cut out as a symbol to your marriage, be a problem?  The moment you agreed to marry her, you chose to stick with her and at that moment used a ring to symbolise your love according to the Christian marriage, as such, you should respect that decision made and stick to it by wearing your ring since it was part of the oath taken during your marriage ceremony.”
In contrast, Demuzah James said: “My not wearing a ring does not mean I cheat on my wife or love her less. I am not just comfortable wearing it. In short, I removed it few weeks after my wedding. My wife then complained consistently about it but now she sees nothing wrong in it because she has come to accept my reason. I am sure she felt I wanted to still enjoy myself with other ladies but that wasn’t the case.”
James added that: “Besides, these days, girls don’t care if you have wedding rings on all your fingers and toes, because if they are interested and you are too, they would go for you. Some would even tell you that they prefer married men, so women should stop having the notion that married men who pull off their rings are flirts.”
But again, Queen Dania, a National Youth Service Corps member, opposed James’ view. “If for any reason you don’t want to wear your ring, then you should remain single. Why should men keep hiding under the shadow of flimsy excuses that shouldn’t be made at all? I am sure some women don’t feel comfortable wearing rings but that is the symbol of marriage. For us Christians, during the wedding ceremony, you see the man and woman using the ring as a symbol of their love and marriage, meaning ‘no matter what I would love you,’ so if because you are not comfortable then you pull of your ring, then I wonder what the oath you took with that ring in the presence of God and others meant to you,” she said. “I personally won’t take that as an excuse because it is not enough reason not to wear what symbolises that you are married.”