For many
women (and a growing number of men), changing their last name
is a big decision. Here are some interesting articles (and one
video) that address the issue.
The
State of the Maiden Name By Katie Roiphe (Slate.com) A good overview of the pros and cons of name change Excerpt:
Having children
presents a conundrum: If you change your name to your husband's,
how are you connected to your ancestors in the shtetl, or the
potato famine, or the decks of the Mayflower? If you don't change
your name, how are you connected to the future, to your children
and grandchildren, who will use your name as a secret password
for bank accounts until eventually it is forgotten?
Married
or Maiden Name? The Last Name Debate for the Modern Woman By Cori Russell (American Chronicle) A comprehensive article on all the name-change options Excerpt: The name change debate can be just as ruthless,
just as grievous, and that seemingly perfect solution just as
elusive for the modern woman. While most women say “I
do” to taking their husband’s last name, a great
many of them struggle with the concept and the decision. A quick
glance at some online forums dedicated to the topic affirmed
that this is still a hot button issue – with judgment,
perceived or actual, running rampant on both sides of the proverbial
fence.
His
and Hers Surnames: The Debate Continues By Camilla Chafer (BridalWave.tv) A U.K.-based website offering some statistics on name change
in Britain Excerpt: Apparently
a third of women plan to keep their own name with 7% refusing
to take their husband's name. 45% say they don't want to lose
their family name whilst 41% of women just prefer their own.
However, 51% of men said they would be extremely offended if
their new wife didn't want their name with a third saying they
would "demand" a name change, with 70% insisting on
future offspring bearing the male surname.
Since
You Asked: Should I Take My Husband's Name? By Cary Tennis (Salon.com) An advice columnist addresses a woman's name-change dilemma
Excerpt: To
take your husband's name is also among your freedoms. You are
absolutely free to make your own choice, and you cannot really
make a bad choice because, either way, the important thing is
that it is a free, conscious choice.
Debate (Time) An article from 1925 that records a debate on the subject
of name change Excerpt: At
133 East 61st St., Manhattan, home of the New York Junior League,
there was a debate. The judges were Ethel Barrymore, Alice Duer
Miller and Frank Crowninshield, editor of Vanity Fair. The question
was: Should a Woman Keep her Maiden Name after Marriage?
To
Be Safe, Call the Bride by Her First Name By Anna Jane Grossman (The New York Times) An article on the difficulty of coming up with a new last
name Excerpt: Brides,
and bridegrooms as well, are learning that with choice comes
complication. They are turning what was once an intimate conversation
into an interactive dialogue with relatives, friends and even
professional consultants.
Funny
Married Names
(YouTube.com) A video that shows the hilariousconsequences
of hyphenating certain names
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