Since when has it become traditional for a man to wear a wedding band?

You will be surprised to know that the tradition of men's wedding bands first began even more recently than you might think. While women have worn wedding rings for centuries as a symbol of everlasting love and commitment, it was never common for a man to wear a wedding band on his finger until recent years. It was only during the Second World War (1939-1945) that men began to wear wedding rings. Understandably, they did this in order to keep some sort of guarantee and assurance that their wives would wait for them while they were away at war. In addition, wearing a wedding band was a marital status statement to the world, demonstrating that they were fully committed to their loved ones back at home and that they had something to fight for. Ever since those dark times in history, men's wedding bands have gradually gained popularity and have reached the point in modern times of being second nature within the Western World. In the United States today it is has become rarer to find a married man without a wedding band than a married man wearing one. Reasons why this tradition has increased in popularity over the years is mainly due to the 21st century views of equality: if the wife is willing to make a statement regarding her marital status, why shouldn’t the husband do the same? Also, in light of today's ever growing divorce rate, a woman's and man's wedding band could be seen as a symbol which represents a marriage which is held firmly in place.

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