Why do women always have a male surname? Would men change theirs and their childrens?

Question

It matters only in the sense that women don't seem to have a choice - they can retain their own surname but then appear 'difficult' and most men I assume would want their children to have their surname..

If it trult 'doesn't matter' then why is it not discussed or more even..some couples going with wife's surname - some with husband's?

Originates from the old tradition of women being property - given by one man to another - the symbolism is still there - why not make it more equal?

Male surname in the sense - it is always either their husbands, grandfathers, fathers or when their Mum is not married their maternal grandfather.. etc

Answer 1

It has long been the custom for women to change their surname upon marriage from their birth name (or maiden name) to their husband's last name. From the late 1960s through the early 1990s, a small but increasing percentage of women chose to keep their birth name, or a hyphenated form of it, when they married. Going into the 2000s, however, the trend has been the other way, especially in the United States, where fewer women have been keeping their maiden name. As of 2004, roughly 90% of American women automatically assumed their husband's surname upon getting married.[citation needed] Even in families where the wife has kept her birth name, parents often choose to give their children their father's family name. In English-speaking countries, married women traditionally have been called Mrs. [Husband's full name], although in recent times they are often called Mrs. [Wife's first name] [Husband's surname].

In the Middle Ages, when a man from a lower status family married an only daughter from a higher status family, he would take the wife's family name. In the 18th and 19th centuries in Britain, bequests were sometimes made contingent upon a man changing (or hyphenating) his name, so that the name of the legator continued. Although it is rare for English-speaking men to take the name of their wives, some men still choose to do so (such as among Canadian aboriginal groups) or, very rarely, a married couple may choose a new last name entirely.

As an alternative, both the husband and wife may adopt a double-barrelled name. For instance, when John Smith and Mary Jones marry each other, they may become known as John Smith-Jones and Mary Smith-Jones. However, some consider the extra length of the hyphenated names undesirable. A wife may also opt to use her maiden name for her middle name, giving her the option of referring to herself as either Mrs. Smith or Mary Jones Smith. However, as the Wall Street Journal reported in 2003, from a purely logistical standpoint, the bureaucratic process for a women to change her name to anything but her husband’s has become considerably more difficult in the U.S. in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

In some jurisdictions, a woman's legal name used to change automatically upon marriage. Although women may now easily choose to change to their married name, that change is no longer the default. In some places, civil rights lawsuits or constitutional amendments changed the law so that men could also easily change their married names (e.g., in British Columbia).[citation needed]

Women in academia who have previously published articles in academic journals under their maiden name often do not change their surname after marriage, in order to ensure that they continue to receive credit for their past and future work. This practice is also common among female physicians, attorneys, and other professionals, as well as celebrities for whom continuity is important.

Answer 2

I know that not all women do change their surname. I also know of a few men that changed their surname to the womans. I think they had good reasons to do so. It really depends on the couple I think. It started out because the woman couldn't transfer property or had any real rights...so it would all go thru the men. Now women do have those rights....so again to follow tradition or not is up to you.

Answer 3

There is no law requiring the women to change her name, it's most often done out of tradition. Or in my case my name was better than my wife's. Many women today take both names or keep their maiden name. It's a matter of choice. And yes, as a man I would take my wife's name if I liked it more than my own, (times have changed).

Answer 4

This is only in English-speaking countries. In Spanish-speaking countries you keep your own name, and only in high society are known as "Mrs. (de) So-and-so". Children are given both names; the father's surname first, followed by the mother's. So if my name were "Anna Gomez" (and it isn't, but for the sake of argument) and I married Manolo Perez, my kids would be, say, "Juan Perez Gomez." I would be Anna Gomez, or Anna Gomez de Perez, forever.
In some countries like the States you can decide if you want to keep your own name after marriage.

Answer 5

It's just a very old tradition. Some men do take the woman's surname. You don't have to change either name.

Answer 6

When my brother got married he changed his name, so that the whole family had the same surname!

that i thought was really sweet, it showed pure commitment to the family even tho the children were not his, i find nothing wrong with it...

Just thought u should know, that there probably is some more men out there that do this...

Answer 7

I kept my maiden name,and I`m a Ms,although people presume Your a Miss,which is slightly annoying.People also presume unless Your a celeb that Your not really married-who cares.My surname is more unusual than my husband`s(which is fairly common) and he was married before.I didn`t want to be another Mrs **,and he didn`t want to be Mr **.Besides I get to pass my family name down through my children,there`s pride in that ,and it`s worked out well.

Answer 8

I don't know why they have male surname, but I bet you you would not want your man to change there's to yours even if they agree. and as about children there are some places where they do, It's in a part of north east state of India called Meghalaya

Answer 9

It is just the tradition from the old sexist days. it is now legal for a woman to keep her own name when getting married. When and if I get married, I wouldn't mind having my husband's name as I'd want to be a part of his life, and he, a part of mine and in any way, shape or form.

Answer 10

none of my children have a male surname they all have mine- and yes we are still together after 20 yrs- nobody forces u to have the mans name its a matter of choice

Answer 11

Women don't HAVE to change there surname. My friends parnets used the moms last name.