Why does a woman have to change her last name when she gets married to a man?

Question

Also, do gay and lesbion couples change their last names when they get married??

Answer 1

So society can recognize them and their children as a family.

Answer 2

You don't. I do know of a couple of couples who have taken Her last name, to keep a family name going and named the children so. Many Women insist on hyphenated names which I think is a good thing but then everyone has to change all thier legal stuff as well. Also young couples who have businesses or are solicitors etc or have a professional career may prefer to keep thier own name too.

Answer 3

She doesn't. It's traditional, but not a legal requirement. I had a heated debate with a male colleague about this only last night - he said that he wouldn't marry someone who wouldn't take his name. I feel that this indicates that on some level, he regards a wife as his property, whom he has labelled so everyone knows she belongs to him. I wouldn't marry a man who tried to force me to take his name - it should be a personal choice. The days of a woman "belonging" first to her father and then to her husband are long over!

Answer 4

She doesn't HAVE to. There's no law saying she has to do that. Women CHOOSE to do it because of tradition. I chose not to, so my husband and I have different last names; my mom and grandma also chose not to change the names, and it has never been a problem.

I don't know if gay and lesbian couples change their names. Being that gay marriage is illegal in most places, I don't know if there's been a tradition established in regards to the name change in such cases.

Answer 5

You don't have to change your last name when a woman gets married, it's just tradition. And I don't believe in gay marriage.

Answer 6

A woman does not have to do this but she can if she chooses to... I wanted my husbands last name and i carry it with pride! I do not know if gay and lesbian couples change their name but i am sure they could if they wanted to! Sometimes the guy takes the womans last name too.

Answer 7

Well, you can have your father's name, or your husbands. Don't pretend either of those strikes a blow against the patriarchy.

As for what you have to do or can do, depends where you live. In ontario, canada, where I live, there is no automatic name change, but the woman can change it legally for free at marriage (normally there's a fee). But you have to choose to change it.

Answer 8

Start by taking your license to the social secutity office and they will isssue you a new s.s card. Then go to DMV and do the same. Go to the post office and fill out name change. Call all of your credit card companys and let them know. Go to your bank and show them proof and change all of your banking info. As far as the gay and lesbian people, I have no Idea.

Answer 9

you change your name because you become a family with that person. your "maiden" name is the name of your family w/in your intimate household of mom and dad..So, Maturity and becoming an adult and journeying into the next level of life (your family orientation establishment) is putting your childhood behind you. Let Mom and Dad "GO". as for same sex couples "yes" they should change their last names and give the same name to their children etc....what last name they choose is up to them and how their relationship is based....personal..

Answer 10

She doesn't. It's traditional, but it's not legally mandatory. Women can use whatever name they want. I plan on changing my current last name to my grandmother's maiden name, just because it's that cool.

Answer 11

You don't have to. I think before it was a tradition, now... it is a romantic thing. I did not change my name. I am friends with a guy couple....yes, one of them change his name.