Why does society expect the wife to take her husbands last name but not vice versa?

Question

I HATE my last name and want to take my fiances name because it's nicer and even sounds better with my first name, but my family and friends think it's a dumb idea.

What is so wrong with a man taking his wife's name at marriage?

Answer 1

Traditionally, the man was the head of the family. However, for a long time, people did not have last names, so you would be known as the "wife of so and so" and your children as the "son of so and so". So, when last names became mandatory, it was logical that the husband's last name would be the family's last name.

Of course, you can argue that the tradition is no longer valid. However, if you would adopt modern materialistic mores, if they exist at all, the spouse that supports the family should provide the last name of the family. But does that mean that if the main supporter shifts to the other spouse, that the family name should also? I guess, as a compromise, hypenated last name have come into style.

Answer 2

Society doesn't expect anything it is the couple's choice as to who's name they take. The fact that your family and friends think what you want is a dumb idea doesn't account for all of society.

Answer 3

I would prefer my future husband take my last name - because I'm not changing it! I think its just a tradition in society to take the man's name. Don't let them get you down. If you both are okay with it, then go for it!

Answer 4

Society has historically put the male at the head of the household. Even with the "open minds" of today, you'll still see people cling to that notion.

Ultimately, it depends on the two of you. As long as you're both for it, screw everyone else. They'll get over it....I hope.

Answer 5

humorous, i grew to become into merely asking my cousin approximately this some days in the past. He and his "husband" merely celebrated their tenth anniversary jointly and that i asked in the event that they ever at any time till now or as quickly as they have been given jointly seen hyphenating their final names. They opted to not for no specific reason, different than he did humorous tale that it grew to become into less difficult to sign some thing with in elementary terms one final call. Lol. they % to undertake now that they comprehend their courting is stable, so I asked approximately what they'll do relating to the youngster's names and right this is the place they the two agreed that the youngster's names could be hyphenated so as that they could be a representation of the two one in each and every of them and their respective families. they additionally % the final names to be in alphabetical order because of the fact any incorrect way around does not extremely sound as solid as though they flow in alphabetical order. On a private be conscious, i attempted the hyphenating ingredient in one in each and every of my previous relationships and located it to be a soreness interior the butt. i grew to become into continually having to describe why I had 2 final names, did my mothers and fathers never marry yet gave me the two their names, blah, blah, blah. It additionally grew to become an argument as quickly as we made investments, offered a residence, etc. we actually had to flow to courtroom and legally substitute our names to the hyphenated type with a view to accomplish a little of those issues. whilst that courting ended, I had to flow throughout the time of the full technique returned just to place my call returned to the way it grew to become into initially. i desperate i could merely save my own final call next time i'm in a intense courting like that. I enjoyed your question, via the way, and quite your suggestions-set. i think of your going to make a terrific gay parent whilst the time comes. i've got faith especially specific your loved ones call will stay to tell the story by your infants once you cool down with the remarkable guy. solid success. :)

Answer 6

I don't think there's anything wrong with it at all. It's your name & your the one who has to live with it. People just think it's dumb b/c it's unconventional & a lot of people don't do the unconventional well

Answer 7

I don't see anything wrong with it. If you want to do it, then go for it. If everyone else has a problem with it, then to heck with them! It should matter what YOU and YOUR FIANCEE are cool with, not what everyone else thinks.

Answer 8

well, in the past, it was believed that the wife belonged to the husband. so she had to take his name.

you should do whatever you want.
it's the 21st century and if you want to take your fiance's name, you should.

Answer 9

As long as you are both cool with it, who cares what others think.

Answer 10

if u wanna do it, i say go for it!