Is the fact that in a marriage the woman has to accept the husband's name proof of discrimination?

Question

I'm not trying to be offensive, but I've always wondered about it and never understood how this system became legal. To me personally this rule represents another form of discrimination and misogyny. It's society is trying to accentuate yet again women's inferiority even through the smallest things.

Answer 1

We don't have to accept the husband's
name.

I won't be when I get married in a few months.
I'll be using my maiden name as a middle
name adding my future husband's family's
name at the end of it.

A friend of mine recently got married and her
husband took her last name instead of it being
the other way around.

Times have changed, so our options should
as well.

Answer 2

Once upon a time a woman was proud to take her husband's name, and very proudly signed everything J.J.Smith (Mrs)or whatever the name was to prove how proud she was of being a part of that partnership. These days, of course she doesn't have to take his name, she can keep her own. I believe taking your man's name shows you to be a family and simplifies things. I don't like this modern idea of hyphenated names all over the place.
Besides, who says the woman has to take the man's name? I know someone who was from a large family and decided there were plenty to carry on his name, so took his wife's name because she was the last of her line and wanted her name passed on with any children, and he was perfectly happy about that.
It's only if the husband insists on it as a power-trip that it's misogynistic and discriminatry, in my opinion.

Answer 3

Are you asking about discrimination or want to know a history of a tradition? It is a common practice & not a law, so it is a choice many continue to follow. I believe it is a tradition to the time when women did not have any legal rights & were thought of as property. Thankfully that has changed. Names also have a sense of pride in who we are as well as a sense of belonging & giving oneself to another. My dad was adopted when he was 5 yrs. old. His name was changed. Does that mean society is discrimination against adopted children? I don't think so.

Answer 4

No, its indicative of societies tendency to follow tradition. Just like men always proposing and the brides father always paying for the wedding. There are cases where this is not true, as with your juxtaposition of marriage and name change. Your question, however, is a good example of rash generalizations.

Answer 5

A woman does not have to take her husbands last name when she gets married. It is a personal choice so how can it be discriminating.? My wife hasn't officially had her name changed to mine yet and we've been married for 3 years although she does want to change it. It is a woman;s perogative either way,

Answer 6

There is no law that states the woman must take on the man's name. Many women (especially those whose names are well established [ie, singers, actors, authors]) keep their names.