Interesting article in The Guardian today posing the question whether men planning to propose to their partners should ask their prospective father-in-law for permission before popping the question.
The writer, Elle Levenson, is outraged by this apparent symbol of female dependence on men. But to her amazement, her female friends find it touching.
I’m with Elle on this one. I didn’t check with my father-in-law before asking Karen to marry me. I couldn’t see any reason – any more than I’d expect Karen to phone my father (or should that be my Mum?) before accepting. Yet many of my female friends, including independent-minded women in their late twenties and early thirties, are in favour of this traditional practice. What do you think?
Ertblog 
Always a fan of the Third Way I asked my fiancee’s Dad for his blessing in marrying his daughter. We (fiancee and I) both agreed that we didn’t need his permission but as he is a spiritual man it would be nice to know he approved in his own way.
Hi
I did ask my FIL for his daughter’s hand in marriage. I’ve never seen a man so delighted in my life when he shook my hand. I did wonder at the time why he was so joyful at finally getting his daughter of his hands.
Ian
Hello,
Goodness that is odd, me and Ellie have been emailing each other over the last day or so – she is a lovely woman but gets some real stick on CiF – how funny to come on here and read about her latest piece!
We went to see Miss Potter last week and her suitor went to see her dad to ask and was told: “no” – I wonder how often that happens! 🙂