What do you think of women who get married & don't wanna change their name?

Question

I know it's widely accepted for women who're professionals like attorneys, doctors, even celebs, etc.., but do you think it's ok for a "Plain Jane" to want to keep her last name (not even hyphenated) after marrying? Would you want t o keep your last name if you are a woman, or would you be offennded if you are a man? Explain your opinion, please.

Answer 1

As the now adult child of a woman who kept her maiden name after marriage, I'd like to clarify that I've NEVER been "confused" about my mother actually being my mother because of her choice. Our family was no less intact and tightly bound just because she chose to keep her maiden name. Asserting that reason as support for why a woman should take her husband's name is utterly ridiculous.

Women should do what feels most comfortable for them. Despite the tradition (and that's all it is, a mere tradition) in the U.S. of a woman taking her husband's name, I think women ought to feel fine keeping their maiden names if they want. It's an incredibly weird feeling to go through the first few decades of your life identifying yourself by one name, only to suddenly assume a new identity overnight.

Answer 2

Changing your last name(unless you truly want to for whatever good reason) means that you belong to that man you married, is not fair, what if you divorce? your father is still the same, no matter what. I don't believe a woman should be a possession, we're not in the Middle East and a woman has every right to keep her own identity and still chose to stay with the one she loves, complement each other, not have society dictate who she has to be: a possession of her husband. after all it is a pretty new tradition to strip woman from any power she might posses, is actually a form of slavery, if you don't believe me do some research and you'll find how it all started. There was a time when women had equal rights but men started to get lazy and wanted their women to be servants, not just loving wives. By the way, who is to say that "Plain Jane" is not actually super important? you are wrong for judging that way, a title does not define how good or important of a person you are!. We pay such a high prize for freedom fighting everywhere but yet ,you judge those women who choose to be brave and keep their identity, that's just lack of integrity and respect. What's next? a good old witch hunt?

Answer 3

I think you say a lot when you refer to a woman as "plain Jane." Why do you want to diminish their dignity like that? So what if a woman is not a professional, that has nothing to do with her dignity as a woman! I suppose you want one to be barefoot and pregnant, standing there holding your next beer for you too!
I guess that figures after all, you seem to have a hang up over the name thing!
Don't worry, there is hope for you, I am sure there is a woman out there with similar emotional baggage who would be happy to hold your next beer at ready!

Answer 4

I am engaged to be married and do not plan on taking my new husband's last name. I want to have the same last name as my children ( at least while they are still in school). My future husband has NO issue with it. We figure same last names or not, it does't make us any less married, or any less of a family.

Answer 5

why not keeping their last names. most of the countries all over the world allow women to keep their last names, they don't have these complications in marriage

the name is a name what if a woman is getting married for the second time
she will have 3 names during her lifetime?!!!!
the first one is her family name
the sec one was her ex husband's family name
the third one is her current husband's family name

that's crazy, remember we are in the year 2006

its a duty to mention that arab women keep their last names after marriage!!!!

Answer 6

I think it's a woman's prerogative if she wants to keep her last name. Some women want their own identity not their husbands. It does not mean she does not love or husband. I would personally hyphenate my name especially If there were children involved.

Answer 7

I can understand why some for professional reasons would want to keep their name. As for me, I am quite honored that my wife wanted to take my last name. I also believe it is important for the kids to know that they have a family name that is shared by all in the family unit.

Answer 8

I have thought about not taking my husbands last name if I got married. Only because my brother is the only man in our family to carry our last name forward. And he has three girls who will probably take someone else's name someday.

Answer 9

Lots of "regular" women keep their last names. Many women figure that just because you marry someone doesn't mean that you should have to give up your identity. Why don't men have to change their names?

Answer 10

I am keeping my maiden name because it is the name I gave my daughter. Until she is out of school I do not want my last name to be different from hers.