<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Too morose to propose</h2>

Queen Victoria. Britney Spears. Elizabeth Taylor. Judge Judy.

At first glance, these women may not seem to have too much in common. But one thing unites them: they all popped the question to their to-be husbands.

Today is leap day. It happens only once every four years, when an extra day is added to the GregorianIt is named after Pope Gregory XIII, who introduced it in 1582. calendar to make the year consist of 366 instead of 365 days. 

Since the Earth takes around 365 days and six hours to orbit the sun, we end up with an awkward spare quarter of a day each year. Every four years, these quarters are added together to make an extra day - 29 February, or leap day.¹

And leap day traditions and superstitionsBelief or practices that are not entirely based on facts or reality. abound. In China, children have to give their parents gifts. In Scotland, it is thought that "leaplings" - children born on leap day - will have a year of "untold suffering".

Ireland has a somewhat happier custom. In Ireland, leap day is often referred to as BachelorAn unmarried man. 's Day, since it is the one day that women are allowed, even encouraged, to propose to men.

Some say it is a new twist on an old-fashioned institution. Historically, women's marriages were arranged by their parents, usually with a dowryA payment made by the bride's family to the groom's family. to sweeten the deal with the groom's family. Now, women are free to make their own choices.

And women proposing is becoming more popular. In 2010, a survey found that just 5% of engaged or married women in the UK had proposed to their partners; by 2019, this number had tripled to 16%.²

But is it enough to revive the institution of marriage? In 2022, for the first time, the percentage of over-16s in England and Wales who are either wed or in a civil partnershipA legal union between two people who are not related. fell below 50%.³

It seems we are increasingly wising to Jane AustenAn English novelist most famous for writing Pride and Prejudice.'s claim that "happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance" - and many of us are not willing to take that chance.

But is proposing old hat?

Yes: Proposals and marriages are old-fashioned traditions invented in a time when women had far fewer rights than men. It is time for a complete overhaul.

No: Marriage is one of our oldest institutions, and it is not going anywhere any time soon. The fact that more women are proposing is proof that it will modernise to suit the contemporary world.

Or... Proposals are not going anywhere any time soon. Perhaps fewer people are proposing, but only because proposals are getting more showy, with huge public displays.

Gregorian - It is named after Pope Gregory XIII, who introduced it in 1582.

Superstitions - Belief or practices that are not entirely based on facts or reality.

Bachelor - An unmarried man.

Dowry - A payment made by the bride's family to the groom's family.

Civil partnership - A legal union between two people who are not related.

Jane Austen - An English novelist most famous for writing Pride and Prejudice.