Why is it that babies get their fathers last name?

Question

I'm having a little trouble understanding exactly why babies have their fathers last name. Is it some sort of unwritten rule? I'm 32 weeks pregnant with my first child. The father of my baby and I are not together. He wants to be in our babys life but he doesn't do much but drive me to most of my appointments. My mother is also pregnant and is scedhuled for a C-section a week before my planned baby shower so I cancelled it. Between my mother and I, we have bought everything that my son could possibly need and a lot of my medical expenses have come out of pocket. He and his family haven't done a thing to help. So why should the baby carry their last name? Would it be selfish for me to give the baby my last name?

Answer 1

I think you should give your child your last name. My mom was a single parent and I am glad she did this for me. why have the last name of a man that doesn't raise you, never comes around? It's nice to be in a home with a mom who loves you and share the same name plus the family of the mother also!

Answer 2

Forgive me that this is a bit long, but this is true...

You know what the fact that most people follow the "tradition" of using the father's last names for their babies is probably the main reason why women rights are still behind in most country. Everyone wants their family name to be passed down to the next generation. That's why many people (admit it or not) think sons are more important than daughters, because they pass the family name to the next generation. This is not a harmless tradition. Women are suffering everywhere because of this. There is no reason for women to support this tradition to continue.

Use your last name. This is your child. Think about it. If you're a single father then you won't even ask this question and will just take it for granted.