Why women, when marrying, always adopt the husband's surname?

Question

Are men surnames more important than womens surnames?

Answer 1

They don't always adopt the husband's surname. How ridiculous. And to one of the respondents who said it is law, not it is not, get your facts right. It is not the law that you have to change your surname in marriage. Ask a marriage celebrant. They'll explain it to you. I know of several people who didn't change their surnames when they were married.

Answer 2

Most cultures are patriarchal and have this practice. It has evolved through such a long period of time that we couldn't possibly explain it all here. Ultimately, the purpose of the woman adopting hubby's surname harks from back in the days when she'd cease to be daddy's property and become her hubby's (literally).

To put it in a grossly general way, this evolved from early patriarchal societies where males wanted exclusive lineage (hence the woman could have only one male partner so they knew for sure who her children's father was). Consider this in comparison to other (now rare) societies where lineage is matriarchal, i.e. blood lines were carried down via the mothers, which is a more intuitive way but didn't sit well with patriarchal societies.

With some evening out of inequalities between men and women, this surname practice makes less sense in many Western urban societies today, and some women don't do it. However, most societies still remain largely patriarchal in nature, and old habits, especially VERY old habits, are hard to change, in addition to countless other things with regards to gender differences.

Answer 3

Thing is, they don't. my bro in law, for example, adopted her last name because she was a recording star just getting going, and a name change would have been bad.

People I know didn't use either last name, but melded the two to come up with a new last name.

But, historically, yes, men's surnames were the only ones that mattered, since on they could hold property, and some places, only they could deal in the finances and handle money.

Look at Nordic surnames - in that, the father's name matters most. Fnordsdattir - fnord's daughter. Beorgsson - Beorgson's son.

Answer 4

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 5

I wouldn't say either are more or less important than the other. However, it's the law that women have to adopt their spouses surnames when married.

Answer 6

It is a part of tradition. When the woman leaves her parents to became a mans wife, he is now his other half. Therefore she takes on his last name.

Answer 7

its from teh tradition of the owrld...we just follow it.... i think it started in the idea that women has no right in the society unless she will be given the priveledge by marriage.... so we cant change that..... since we were created.... its already been there...... good luck!!!!

Answer 8

depends on the man, the woman, and their last names...to each their own......however,i took a name once and will do it again.