2007-01-29 13:16:41 · 13 answers · asked by super girl 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
No, you don't HAVE to take his last name, live with him, or ever see him.
And it is much better for the kids if everyone has a different last name. That way, you will keep everyone guessing as to who is related to whom.
Plus, it will make the divorce much simpler. None of that changing your name back business!
No need to show your commitment or respect these days since marriage is only temporary anyway.
2007-01-29 14:15:49 · answer #1 · answered by Jay 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Oh jeez the ignorance of some of the other answers on here already!
I mean, come on! "respect" doesn't come from taking on another person's name at marriage and if it did, why don't men and women SWAP names that way they demonstrate respect to each other!@!!
Seriously, to answer your question....a woman and a MAN for that matter, have multiple options for naming after marriage. They can both hyphenate their names (Smith-Jones or Jones-Smith). The woman can take her husband's name. The woman can keep her maiden name. The woman and the man can agree on a new name, usually combining the letters or partial letters of their old names, into a new family name (Smith and Jones become Joneth or Smones or something else entirely).
It may also interest you that currently there is a man sueing for an easier way to change his name at marriage (like how women currently can just by signing the new name on the marriage certificate). You can see the newspaper article on this guy here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/124236/man_sues_california_to_take_wifes_last.html
2007-01-29 21:38:51 · answer #2 · answered by Monique D 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is no law that says you must change your name, it's just tradition. Keeping your last name is fine, but you might want to consider other alternatives because it would cause you to have a different last name than your children.
A good way to go is to hyphenate your name. For instance, if your name is Smith and his is Jones, your name would become Smith-Jones.
2007-01-29 21:23:03 · answer #3 · answered by Terri J 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a choice. But why wouldn't u want to take your mans last name. If u marry u should be proud to have your man's last name.
2007-01-29 21:21:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only if they want to. You don't HAVE to change your last name if you choose not to.
2007-01-29 21:40:16 · answer #5 · answered by elprez14 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nowadays this is only if they want and choose to.. I for one wanted my husbands name and I carry it with pride!!!! I feel it is respectful and loving to do this for your marriage and husband... Sometimes the husband takes on the womans last name too!
2007-01-29 21:45:01 · answer #6 · answered by Lady Hewitt 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Refusing to take your husband's last name demonstrates lack of commitment to the marriage.
Refusing to take your husband's name is disrespectful to him.
What if he refused to wear a wedding ring? It is not mandatory, but might suggest that he is not fully committed.
If his wife doesn't even respect him, how can anyone else respect him?
2007-01-29 21:30:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I say it all depends. I have a guy friend that took his wife's last name. plus my MIL never took my FIL last name.
2007-01-29 21:23:26 · answer #8 · answered by sillyfyre 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2007-02-02 15:29:32 · answer #9 · answered by sweetgranny06 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's completely your choice.
2007-01-29 21:25:28 · answer #10 · answered by Morning Glory 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋