Marital Changing Of Names: Why Most Women Hold On To Their Maiden Names
The debate on whether women should change their names after the marriage has been on for a long time. In ancient times, women would change their names upon marriage. However, most women in America in recent statistics of women maintaining their maiden names have been on the rise. Women hold on to the fact that name changing does not depict feminism. Whereas, a good number of American married women still add their husband’s names to their own. Although women get into marriage due to love and as a sign of submission, some men may wonder why women should get married yet retain their maiden names. Therefore, this research study will discuss the reasons as to why most women hold on to their maiden names after marriage.
Research indicates that women who retain their maiden names feel very instrumental, outgoing, and possess greater inner strength as compared to those who change their names. As such, feminists believe that this is proof in recent times where sexism and patriarchy still have their place in society. Thus, women are fighting within themselves to portray their strength against men who have over time dominated the best positions in society. To a high degree, these women have acquired places in the limelight due to the intrinsic motivation within them. Therefore, this reasoning has been regarded by many, which has helped them to prosper in their lives. Thus, retaining the maiden name according to this reasoning has proved worthwhile to most women
Furthermore, a good number of women feel that changing their names will lead to a loss of identity. As well, some women are so much attached to their fathers, and therefore, changing their names would affect their relationship. Thus, they retain their names to maintain the sentimental attachment to their beloved fathers. By having the maiden name, it helps them feel attached to their heritage. Notably, a good number of women receive inheritance from their families. Thus, to maintain the family bond, they prefer retaining their maiden names.
Moreover, some women have maintained their names due to the fear of suffering in their careers. Some women indicated that changing marital names is a clear indication of submission. As such, women feel that they will not be instrumental in their jobs if they give in to all the requests of their men. Also, the feminists hold on to this fact since the act of submission means that women are inferior to men. However, some women feel that this reason does not hold water since the changing of maiden name is simply an indication of status change. Therefore, although some women retain their names following this reasoning, it has nothing to do with their prosperity in their careers.
In conclusion, some women retain their maiden names to maintain their identity. They feel that adding their husbands’ names to their last name will affect their ancestry and history. As such, they have termed the changing of names as a cause of identity loss. Also, some feel that retaining their names makes them stronger and gain respect in the society. Some feel attached to their fathers such that they cannot afford to identify themselves with another man. Therefore, the retaining of maiden names has been embraced by many women of late than in ancient times. They have helped the above reasons very strongly, which has worked for them.
References
- Hesse-Biber, S. (2012). Feminist approaches to triangulation: Uncovering subjugated knowledge and fostering social change in mixed methods research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 6(2), 137-146.
- MacEacheron, M. (2016). North American women’s marital surname change: Practices, law, and patrilineal descent reckoning.Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2(2), 149-161.
