Why does the wife & children have to take the man's name in the USA?

Question

What makes the value of the man's name of greater importance than the woman's? Makes no sense to me whatsoever in a time when we are striving for equality.

Even in a 3rd world country like Mexico, the child takes both parent's names then after age 18 gets to pick which one to keep.

This guy once said to me, "..that's in the Bible.." LOL OMG how illiterate can some ppl be? Just in case anyone believes that, IT's NOT. This is strictly a culture thing that it is high time needs to be changed.

Answer 1

Actually it depends on the state but in ALL states the children automatically take the man's last name.

Answer 2

A woman does not have to take her husband's last name in the USA. Nor do a couple's children automatically take their father's last name.

Mexico is not a Third World Country. It is my understanding that a Mexican custom has a daughter growing up with her father's last name followed by her mother's. When she marries, she drops her father's name, adds her husband's last name and moves her mother's to the middle. I am sure there are various personal decisions surrounding this custom which to me seems complicated, but to those who are familiar with this way of doing things it makes perfect sense.

I have been married for 29 years and took my husband's last name at that time. I wanted to do it then and would make that same choice again today. For me, it is a special bond to my husband to share the same last name. Nobody made me do it. My oldest daughter was married 4 years ago and she, too, took her husband's last name and was happy to do so.

It may not specifically say that a wife should take her husband's last name in the Bible, but it does say that a woman will leave her family and be joined with her husband. Just because a person does not believe the same as you does not give you the right to call someone names. Believing differently than you does not make another person illiterate. That is a rude and narrow-minded way to think.

The custom of taking your husband's last name is not in need of changing since you can choose what you want to do. If you don't like it then don't do it.

Most countries have unique naming customs based on their customs and culture.

Answer 3

Well I'm pretty sure this derives back to when women were basically property to men. You know, like when you married someone you had to give her father like 50 goats or something like that. She was bartered for, then she took the man's last name as sort of a sign of ownership of her. I'm not sure if that is correct, but it make sense. But fortunately I don't believe that this holds the same meaning today. I think that instead of a sign of ownership, it is just done because of tradition. You sit here and talk about equality of man and woman, but I don't believe that taking a man's name when a woman marries him is really a sign of oppression of equality. You see, unless there are the same exact guidlines for both men and women, no one is ever going to be happy. And it is all to easy for anyone, typically a feminist, to point at something and say that it is inequal, for some reason or another. That's not the way to bring equality amongst men and women. To bring equality you need to not point out what makes you different, but rather where we are the same and not use words fight, but rather your actions. Anyone can talk and say something needs to be done away with because they believe it is inequal, that's just rubbish. Equality becomes by taking your bar and raising it to where you want it to be, and not letting anything stop you, not by lowering the competitions to match yours. I just don't see how taking the last name of your husband is oppressive it's only oppressive because some lets it be. But hey what do I know, I am a guy...

Answer 4

Because the foundation of America is biblical. The man is the leader of the household. He was created first and the woman was created to be man's companion and anchor. Whether you are "religious" or not that is what our forefathers believed. Ofcourse that has changed quite a bit now. But a foundation cannot be moved without destroying the nation. Sorry, try again.

Answer 5

It's tradition. However, a woman does not "Have" to take a man's last name. All you have to do is put down your name when you complete the paperwork at the courthouse. Why don't you find something important to worry about like world hunger or some other worthwhile cause?

Answer 6

You dont have to take the name of your spouse and neither do you children, You can name your child Rooty Poot Booger Snot Licker whilst your name is John or Jane Doe. At marriage the woman does not "HAVE" to take the mans name.

Answer 7

They don't have too, but, it's tradition. My aunt kids actually have both names. I think its fair and believe it's going to be the wave of the future in this country because women are marrying later and acheveing more. We have to get some credit some where.
I like your question :)

Answer 8

No one is required to change their name due to marriage.

A man can take the wife's name if he so chooses. It is a cultural issue, not a legal issue.

Answer 9

They don't! Who told you they do? You can keep your maiden name, or the name of your last husband if you were married before and are now divorced or widowed ... or change it altogether ... you have many choices, think you're just totally misinformed on the subject.

Answer 10

It's a choice all married women make. Some do not take their husband's name, most do. You can give your child either or both.