Should a woman change or keep her last name after marriage?

Question

I have to do a powerpoint discussion on this topic for my sociology college class.

What is your opinion on this topic?

What do some other cultures do?

Is it more tradition/submissive?

Any response is greatly appreciated!!!!

Alos, I can not seem to find a lot of sources, any help?

Answer 1

I think that changing your name is a way to integrate a family.  That's not to say I would do it.  I did it once, though I wanted to keep my name (hubby told me that kids would have his name no matter what so I decided to change it -before I left him, of course).

I would not change my name again.  It's too much my identity.  It speaks of where I come from and my personal history that I bring to a relationship.

Answer 2

Simple Answer: Don't rock the boat!

Opinion: The last name does NOTHING for a marriage except follow tradition or deviate from tradition. Some women feel they "make a statement" by keeping their last name and some just treat it as a drink of water. I am open minded so being "married" to a woman who wants or declines my "last name" has nothing to do with how I feel about her.

Other cultures do? Most cultures follow the age old tradition that the woman take the last name of the spouse. It's been done forever and will continue until the age of Amazons arrives.

Tradition or submissive? It's tradition, period. There is NOTHING written or intended that implies submissiveness by taking on the last name of the spouse. Submissiveness is an EMOTION and that is a choice not a result.

Answer 3

The answer to this is in the meaning of the word 'marriage'. Marriage, legally or as an institution, is two people being paired for the rest of their lives. Once paired, they are to be viewed as a single entity, a couple... two become one.

To signify this bond, a common identity is sought for both the man and a woman. In most cultures, the last name is a family name. So one among the two assumes the family name of the other to become a part of that family.

In most cultures, it has been the woman who changes her last name. (There are cultures in which the man does so. Kerala, India is an example). The woman's parents give up all authority on her and formally give over the responsibilty to the husband, thus making her his.

In today's context we can attribute this to plain tradition and nothing else. A man could choose to change his last name to that of the woman he's marrying, and that's perfectly legal.

But a change of name involves legal hassles, and I wouldn't suggest it. A woman can tag her husband's last name to her name in a social context, and continue to have her legal maiden name. This would give her the satisfaction of following tradition, and the ease of not having to issue affidavits!!

Answer 4

I think as a woman, we take on the man's name when we marry to create a new family of our ( husband and wife BOTH) own.  I don't think a woman should keep her name, solely, b/c it shows little respect for the man she marries.  However, hyphenating is another idea... my husband was all for it. We didn't, b/c of the legal fees and such, but he was all for it, b/c he tho't I should never lose my identity...  I will always be woman X and to be woman X-Y would not undermind him, or disrespect him... It would an addition to who I already am.

Submission... well, done correctly the man loves the woman, as his own body. He protects the woman with his life. He provides for the woman, her needs to do her work--- care for the house and child(ren)... She cares for the house, and child(ren). They work together as a team... He is not the dictator. She is not the slave. He says he is the president and I am the operations manager. This works. Remember, it's a cycle... without the love, her work is one-sided... without her work, his love is one-sided... all suffer in either scenario. In tandum, the love and the respect go hand in hand and to either, neither is work. Marriage doesn't have to be a chore. Selfishness makes it a chore. Stubborness and refusal to change makes it a chore... Like a tender plant, it must be nurtured and cultivated to grow and once established, h**l itself can't overthrow it.

Answer 5

I think that it's completely optional. You know like some guys, they change their last names after marriage.

I think that nowadays it's more tradition than submissive, but before it was submissive.

Answer 6

Her choice.

Answer 7

When I get married, Im definitely keeping my own last name...... my name is powerful and defines me in a lot of ways.

Answer 8

In Greece women keep their last name after marriage nowadays. Of course, it's up to the woman to decide. In the past all women used to change their last name and take the husband's last name after marriage: that was the law.

Now the law has changed: women are free to choose and nearly all women keep their last name.

For me there's no question: I would never like to change my last name.

Answer 9

Information?

It's a matter of choice: a woman should change her name if she wants to. (Though it would make more sense for men to change their names -- and children take that name.)

It used to be generally accepted in this society, but is now considered optional.

Answer 10

traditionally a woman takes the man's name .. my spouse took my name  ,not to be submissive but to be more a part of me . We are one , we have the same name , the same home , the same friends , the same possessions, the same children .. we are friends. We are lovers. We are one .

       So , you know , I'm not a young idealist . I'm 56 yrs. old and married for the 3rd time .  

      It took this long (FOR ME) to find a real love .

Answer 11

change

Answer 12

I believe it is more of a tradition to take the husband's surname.

Answer 13

Interesting topic! I think it should be left up to the woman to make this choice. After all, it is the woman who has to make the change. I think women do change their names based on tradition.  Although some women struggle with this because they feel they are losing part of their identity.  I do not know what women in other cultures do, but it is very common for women in the U.S. to change their last names.  Although it seems to be popular to hyphenate maiden names with married names these days. I think you should look at the NY Times. I have noticed it is not unusual for women in NYC and the surrounding areas to keep their maiden names.

Answer 14

i think no because first name is our identy so woman should not change her name after marriage