New Purity Rings HistoryIt all started in the 1990s when safe sex and STD/STI prevention/protection was promoted by the Bush Administration. The government has given The Silver Ring Thing more than $1 million to sell chastity rings and promote abstinence.
What Defines an Abstinence Ring?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. They are made with intent to serve as a constant reminder to an individual to abstain from sex until marriage.
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 some people who wear promise rings when marriage and engagement is not desired but affection and commitment wants to be shown. In addition, individuals will often use a promise ring to make a commitment or promise to ones self.
Purity rings fall into this category. Although they are generally more popular with young girls and guys, anyone can purchase and wear a purity ring. Parents usually buy them for their young teenagers in hopes to protect or steer their teenagers away from having pre-marital sex. 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.
Purity rings are for everyone, regardless if they have participated in pre-marital sex or not. They signify a commitment to abstain from sex before marriage; a desire to change and abstain.