Half of Americans think women should be legally required to take their husbands' last names.
As an engaged woman, I was both surprised and appalled when I read an article on The Stir stating that 50% of Americans believe it should be legally required for a woman to take her husband's last name. My first thought was: Who took this survey anyway, a bunch of people from Middle-of-Nowhere America (no offense, really) who've been completely cut off from the modern world?
To take his last name, or not to take his last name? That is the question.
It's an age-old tradition that has been followed, seemingly without too much protest, for years. For most, making the switch to their husband's last name is exciting; a sort of "final seal" on the lifelong vows you've made. But many women are challenging this tradition nowadays, especially those who are less religious and more educated.
Lauren Bush Lauren joins the long line of married ladies who've made unflattering name changes.
Lauren Bush, the model, designer and philanthropist niece of George W. Bush, is getting married. To David Lauren, the son of Ralph Lauren. And she is planning on taking her husband's last name making her ... Lauren Bush Lauren. How far would you go for tradition? Would you change your last name upon getting married if it would become something kinda wonky?
Changing your name for marriage is a big decision, here are 10 pros and cons.
Changing your last name for marriage is a big decision, here are 10 pros and cons to help you decide. Many of us spent our childhood years doodling our names with the "Mrs." pronoun into the margins of our diaries. We experimented with our crushes' names, imagined ourselves with famous names (Mrs. DiCaprio, anybody?), or dreamed up names that were completely random altogether. Now that we're a little more seasoned and—hopefully—more in tune with our sense of individuality, we figure that changing our last name for marriage isn't newlywed protocol.
Married name or maiden name: your choice, not the government's says one naming expert.
Seventy percent of Americans think it's beneficial for women to take her husband's last name when they marry, while half say the government should require women to change their names when they marry, according to a new study by researchers from Indiana University and the University of Utah. But it's dangerous to buy these headlines hook, line, and sinker. Before you schedule your move to Canada, let's get one thing straight: Academic research on the topic of married names is limited, but it points to increasing use of and positive perceptions of nontraditional last names, NOT to scary scenarios like government mandated married names.
Forgetting dating rules. Passing out after your wedding. And changing your name.
Is the word "cougar" too derogatory to keep using? What happens when we throw out the dating rules? Sometimes brides get drunk and wake up in a crate of vodka. Some lube news (finally). Some women think you should have to change your name once married. The cascading effect of talking sexy on Saudi TV is felt by a local station. Some men prefer to marry pillows, get over it.
After a divorce do you go back to your maiden name... or devise a new one?
Changing your name is something we associate with getting married—should you keep your maiden name or take his name? But there’s another LoveStage that deals with shifting monikers as well—getting divorced. If you took your husband’s name when you married, you may want to slough off his name after the breakup. But what do you change it to?
How to choose a last name that satisfies husband and wife.
When you marry, will you change your name? Hyphenate it? Make him take your name? If you're already married, ow did you decide? Although tradition dictates that women do take their husband's last names, it's a personal choice. Here, one woman describes her decision. "We've heard about our options and the inherent difficulties that go along with each. If we keep our names, our in-laws will hate us. If we hyphenate, no one will be able to alphabetize it properly; our medical records will be repeatedly lost. If we take our husband's last name, we'll forever feel like a part of our identity was lost, which may or may not be a bigger problem than the missing medical records. We've certainly heard that making the choice sucks. Many of us spend hours weighing the options—even before we're engaged. We even go so far as to speculate about which celebrity brides will take their husband's last names. Are we hoping that their choices will somehow provide us a glimpse into a magical crystal ball and reveal a time in the future when this isn't so damn difficult?"
The pros and cons of taking his name or keeping your own.
It's time to play the Name Game. We don't mean that old song from the 60s with the Frankie Frankie Bo Bankie Banana nana something or other routine. We mean the eternal question that faces every bride-to-be: So....are ya changing your name?
