Why do Chinese people consider last names to be so important?

Question

Their men won't even give their last names to their wives, let alone adopted people and ex-slaves etc. Why is this???

Answer 1

it's all about the family name.

Answer 2

Well, in the chinese culture men uphold the family name & it's very dishonorable to give your name away even to your wife [because women are lower then men]

A last name is like a very valuable possession, you don't give it away.

And, usually only the older generations are this intent about their honor.The newer,younger generation don't put so much emphasis on these things.

Answer 3

It's just the difference between the US culture and Chinese culture.

The last name is only given to somebody who

shared same blood. Chinese people always wanted to keep

their lines alive. That's why they preferred sons than daughters

because once sbdy's daughter gets married, she is changed to

the man's lineage(but no last name change-->didnt share blood)

and theres nothing to do with continuing their family line.

Answer 4

umm, for the wive part, we are just used to not change last name after marriage.  

for the adopted people part, we change their last name to the same with the father.

and no slaves are allowed in China.

Answer 5

chinese last name's go first

in western civilization a name would be john smith cus first names are more important

but in china they would say it smith john, becuase their family and heritage on an individual family basis is sooooo important