Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 32:2

"And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden rings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me." — Exodus 32:2 (ASV)

And Aaron said ... Break off the golden earrings. —It is a reasonable conjecture that Aaron thought to prevent the projected idolatry by this requirement. Not having the courage to meet the demand of the people with a direct negative, he may have aimed at diverting them from their purpose by requiring a sacrifice which they would be unwilling to make, namely, the personal ornaments of their wives and children. The women might reasonably have been expected to resist, and the men to yield before such resistance; but the event proved otherwise.

Your sons. —Earrings are worn in the East almost as much by men as by women. Most Assyrian and some Egyptian monarchs are represented with them.