Rings and Promises:Margaret Brinig Traditional pattern included sex before marriage but with commitment That raises the risk of seduce and abandon In Anglo-American law,breach of promise was actionable In effect damages for loss of virginity,which was valuable on the marriage market ·Why? Starting about 1935,U.S.courts increasingly abandoned the action Which is why women started requiring valuable engagement rings Think of it as a performance bond-if he jilts her she keeps the ring Rings and Promises: Margaret Brinig • Traditional pattern included sex before marriage but with commitment • That raises the risk of seduce and abandon • In Anglo-American law, breach of promise was actionable • In effect damages for loss of virginity, which was valuable on the marriage market • Why? • Starting about 1935, U.S. courts increasingly abandoned the action • Which is why women started requiring valuable engagement rings • Think of it as a performance bond–if he jilts her she keeps the ring