Promise rings can be beautiful symbols of commitment; however, if misinterpreted they can also be misconstrued. Some may interpret them as signs of abstinence that lead to broken promises while others might mistakenly interpret them as precursors to engagement rings and form unrealistic expectations for the future.
Because promise rings look similar to engagement rings, they may be easily misunderstood by unwary partners who mistakenly assume they're on an accelerated path toward marriage when in fact neither party is ready. This miscommunication may result in disappointment and hurt feelings on both sides.
An additional area of concern with promise rings is their unclear meaning. When giving their partner one, it's essential for both partners to discuss exactly what it signifies - from vows of fidelity or even plans to get engaged someday - as an ambiguous meaning can set unrealistic expectations about where their relationship should head - creating unnecessary frustration if both are on different pages about where to take things.
Promise rings may also hinder couples in communicating about issues and challenges in their relationship, making commitment more challenging when both partners perceive that any disagreement threatens its value as represented by a promise ring.
