Do you think its important?

Question

Do you think its important to the man in a marrige that the wife changes to his last name and if so -guys please explain why it means so much to you.

Answer 1

Personally, no.

My wife changed her last name to mine, but we discussed it at length before doing so. She is in a profession (writing) in which last names can be important, so we wanted to make sure that it wouldn't harm her carrier.

However - and more importantly - we didn't want to cause any confusion on the part of our children and felt that it might not be the best thing to do in a society where mom and dad typically have the same last name. We tend to be traditionalists, as well, so it just made sense.

But, it doesn't make any difference to me. I have several friends who didn't change their last name at marriage and I don't think anything less of them - or their husbands - because of it.

(It does make it easier to look up old girlfriends! --- I was just kidding, snookums...why are you reading my 'answers'?)

Answer 2

It was important to both my husband and I actually. We're uniting as one family. One family = one name. We're supposed to share our lives, and that means our last name as well. There are also practical considerations. For example, in this day and age, schools still assume that if the mother has a different last name from the child, that the child comes from a "nontraditional" family.

Are you famous? Are you widely known by your last name so much that no one can adjust to the change? Do you have a high-profile career that depends on your last name? Probably not. So there really is no need to keep it.

Answer 3

yes the reason is what last names would you give the children of the 2 and if the wife kept her last name when the kid asks mom or dad cause God knows kids ask all kinds of awkward questions "how come mommy has a different last name than daddy and us" or vice versa
another is it is also to show that you both come together as one one couple one family one in general
plus that is the only thing you can give a woman that can never be taken way (unless the woman doesnt want it anymore of course)

Answer 4

Its a sign of committment. The Bible says that the man shall cleve onto his wife and the two shall become one.
The marriage vows usually have the phrase "...and forsaking all others...".
Total committment to the marriage.
If the woman chooses to keep her maiden name, who's last name will the children have? I've seen many hyphenated, i'm still not sure what thrill that gives anybody unless they are an actress or writer with a known "name" and wish to keep it for publicity reasons.
Good luck and GOD bless.

Answer 5

Marriage is a union and taking on the mans last name is another way of identifying that the two of them belong to each other. You know, our modern society has really gotten away from the who, team, union, joined together part of marriage. Different last names, separate bank accounts, rings or no rings, prenuptial agreements... If you want all of that, why even get married? Why not stay single and that way, you keep everything the way it is and that is that.

Answer 6

I'm headed in the direction of marriage with my current boyfriend. We have both talked about things surrounding marriage. I do want to change my last name to his. For one thing, our families are coming together when we get married. It makes me feel like part of his family and that we are starting our life together as a married couple and no longer an engaged or dating couple.

Answer 7

It means a lot not because of owning anything but because you are family. That you are not a product but someone who becomes part of someone's life, a heritage, a future, a history that a man is proud to say, "this is my wife so, so."

If the wife to be says no, then it's ok but what has she to lose to say yes and what has to gain if she says no?

Answer 8

it is important to the man to see the family is carried on it is an outdated concept carried over from women were considered property today it is far less important in most societies others are still living in the middle ages

Answer 9

I think its very important. If you love him enough to marry him, you should want his name. If you want to still carry your maiden name, then hyphen the name.. "Smith-Jones". Think about it, if kids come along, does the mother want another last name from her child? There's enough divorce in the world to take care of that issue.

Answer 10

Personally, I feel that it is one of the signs that the woman is really committed to being a couple instead of two ppl married. (yes, there is a difference) Perhaps it is an old fashoned idea, but not all old ideas are bad.