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October

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170. Thank you!

Sun Jan 22, 2012, 10:13 PM

Jan 2012

Honestly -- it is a personal choice.

I, for one, cannot stand being told what is acceptable -- by male or female!

In my personal (!) case, my father abandoned the family. No child support, no visitations, no holidays, birthdays, nothing. And there I was -- STUCK with his awful last name for years -- with no connection to him or his family. Every time I heard it I was reminded of his absence. Not to mention, that it was a difficult name in and of itself.

So, when I married a loving man -- who supported my dreams, is a feminist, is my best friend... YES, I gladly share his name.

I'm as tired of females telling me what shoes or hair style to wear, or whether I should or shouldn't use make-up! Sorry, but I do as I like. Billy Jean King, Marlo Thomas, and Glroia Steinum do as they like too -- and they all seem to wear make-up, dye their hair and whatnot.

PLEASE!

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I wish women in the U.S. automatically kept their last names when they marry [View all] Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 OP

I've never changed my last name... HipChick Jan 2012 #1

Ha! :) Isn't it easier though? People remain themselves. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #3

I'm a bra-burning feminist and refuse to be an appendage of my husband.. HipChick Jan 2012 #39

More than three decades ago, there was a trend of women either keeping their original no_hypocrisy Jan 2012 #2

It's insane. I think it's the American romanticizing of the dissolution of the woman's name. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #9

I had my own name for years then I added the hypen. I still get looks and grief about that! Peregrine Took Jan 2012 #60

Well, there's no doubt that right wing fake feminists brought us back to the Father Knows Best era Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #103

Yeah, Michelle Obama (nee Robinson) is such a disappointment, stuck in the 1950s (nt) Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #124

I will never understand why women do this Skittles Jan 2012 #4

Me neither. I think in the U.S., women doing away with their name is romanticized. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #11

I hated my maiden name because I was Seedersandleechers Jan 2012 #33

I understand your point of view. CaliforniaPeggy Jan 2012 #5

+100 stockholmer Jan 2012 #35

Thank you...I appreciate your support. n/t CaliforniaPeggy Jan 2012 #40

Your experience mirrors mine. classof56 Jan 2012 #75

Thank you! Blessings to you as well...:) n/t CaliforniaPeggy Jan 2012 #101

And that's how it should be. It's her choice. Zalatix Jan 2012 #163

Thank you! October Jan 2012 #170

Kudos to you for not letting your awful young life embitter you to loving someone! CaliforniaPeggy Jan 2012 #171

Thanks for the hugs and warm support, CaliforniaPeggy. <3 October Feb 2012 #296

Exactly! MissB Jan 2012 #178

Hated mine too. Jennicut Jan 2012 #196

it would help with geneology work too. arely staircase Jan 2012 #6

It would definitely help with genealogy. Women are often lost forever because of the identity Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #34

An excellent observation The Genealogist Jan 2012 #145

Where in Europe does "everyone keep their last name when they get married?" Renew Deal Jan 2012 #7

Spain, France, Italy. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #12

Not true for France muriel_volestrangler Jan 2012 #41

As wiki says, in France, women retain their birth certificate name Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #46

And yet some women are known by their married name muriel_volestrangler Jan 2012 #92

Not at all. My mom sometimes (almost never) might add my father's name as follows: Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #96

Your mum, even if she is French, does not show that "*everyone* keeps their last name" muriel_volestrangler Jan 2012 #116

Oi vei, okay, believe as makes you feel best. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #117

It's not a question of 'belief', it's fact muriel_volestrangler Jan 2012 #125

Psst, reread the wiki clip, it also says that. uppityperson Jan 2012 #193

I know; she highlighted some of it, and seems to have ignored the rest muriel_volestrangler Jan 2012 #205

That is rather funny and shows the opposite point. uppityperson Jan 2012 #192

Italy? When Did That Start? ProfessorGAC Jan 2012 #206

Your grandparent's were siblings?!?! Kellerfeller Jan 2012 #217

"n Italy since 1975 a woman legally keeps her birth name..." Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #254

Is this an "America... bad!" post or a "Men... bad!" post? cherokeeprogressive Jan 2012 #8

It's a, "Why are we romanticizing women destroying their names" post. :) nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #14

"Destroying" is a loaded, hyperbolic, emotional and foolish way of saying "choosing to change". Donald Ian Rankin Jan 2012 #128

Double-barrelled names Ron Obvious Jan 2012 #139

But men are never expected to change their last name. In fact... Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #150

Mostly true, but not relevant to the morality of it. Donald Ian Rankin Jan 2012 #151

Perhaps so, but it indicates that it's a sexist throwback to the Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #152

Sure, but again, not relevant to the morality of doing it today. Donald Ian Rankin Jan 2012 #157

It is quite related to what's happening today. Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #158

It didn't seem to hurt Antonio Villaraigosa nt. harmonicon Jan 2012 #173

NZ rugby league player Robbie Paul changed his name to Hunter-Paul SwissTony Jan 2012 #182

I'm sure we can find exceptions somewhere. They are exceptions, tho. ;-) nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #253

Yes, there are. Rugby League is an exceptionally macho game. SwissTony Jan 2012 #266

Rugby is a wild, rough game! I first watched it in Spain. Was amazed! nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #267

Rory Pond disagrees krawhitham Jan 2012 #251

Yes? Brides are out there asking the groom to take the bride's mother's surname? :) nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #252

some do keep it, some just add the husband's name to theirs so you can check middle JI7 Jan 2012 #10

That's how it was in my family arcane1 Jan 2012 #27

My maiden name is now my middle name. a la izquierda Jan 2012 #114

I was given two middle names at birth, with one of them being my mother's maiden name. Withywindle Jan 2012 #159

I always thought it was odd pipi_k Jan 2012 #185

We got married in 95 and that was my choice. davsand Jan 2012 #87

That's another issue I hadn't thought of before I posted my difficulty in locating friends - that Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #100

I know a couple who both changed their last name to the same, new name. nt ZombieHorde Jan 2012 #13

The current mayor of Los Angeles did that. CaliforniaPeggy Jan 2012 #16

Interesting! nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #32

Was that BEFORE he cheated on her? U4ikLefty Jan 2012 #81

They did the name change at their marriage, so yes, it was before. n/t CaliforniaPeggy Jan 2012 #102

So is the great Antonio married to her now? U4ikLefty Jan 2012 #160

They may be divorced now...I haven't kept up with their hijinks... n/t CaliforniaPeggy Jan 2012 #162

It was after round 1 of cheating, but before the final round. nt. harmonicon Jan 2012 #176

When I got married, my name was changed. I thought it was so ROMANTIC for me to lose my identity Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #19

I thought both of them changing their name was Romantic. nt ZombieHorde Jan 2012 #28

Lol Major confusion then. Nobody would retain their identity. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #31

My wife didn't change her name when we got married. MineralMan Jan 2012 #15

she is awesome, and she married an awesome guy! Skittles Jan 2012 #18

Ya, she is awesome, and I hope I deserve her. MineralMan Jan 2012 #42

If you read my post #5, you'll get an idea...n/t CaliforniaPeggy Jan 2012 #20

Sure. I understand. I don't have a problem MineralMan Jan 2012 #38

I agree. It's pretty crazy! nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #21

I wouldn't have either johnnie Jan 2012 #88

Well, that's a good point, certainly. MineralMan Jan 2012 #144

My dear, American Women have to jump through hoops to change their names Demeter Jan 2012 #17

Betcha there would be a whole big to-do if women required men to change their name and identity Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #23

Women are "required" to do this? jberryhill Jan 2012 #219

What about the children? Should they B Calm Jan 2012 #22

In Spain 2 names are used: the mother's and the father's. For example... Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #26

I learned something today, thanks. B Calm Jan 2012 #36

Thank you. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #104

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Jan 2012 #24

EXACTLY right! n/t CaliforniaPeggy Jan 2012 #29

Boy oh boy, I don't..... Tikki Jan 2012 #25

Then you'd be the daughter of his parents. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #30

Hah...My father-in-Law was like my only father...He used to call... Tikki Jan 2012 #49

You'd be his sister! And the implications of that... would be interesting. :) nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #51

Maybe you are you are your own grandma? whistler162 Jan 2012 #83

I changed mine. Neoma Jan 2012 #37

Maybe so, but now your brain hurts. :) nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #43

I know what you are saying. My last name B Calm Jan 2012 #52

I did (2 decades ago) etherealtruth Jan 2012 #44

You kept your name 30 years ago? That's unusual and GREAT! I agree. Particularly now with women Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #53

No, no 20 years ago :-) etherealtruth Jan 2012 #58

Me too! I think it's particularly crazy when things are addressed as, "Mrs. John Smith" - then Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #78

Not to mention the implications... mzteris Jan 2012 #45

It is an indication of subservience and ownership. No doubt about that. The romanticizing of it Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #50

It's like bragging , ooo look mzteris Jan 2012 #54

If that's what it is, how incredibly sad that such a thing become one's primary goal in life. :( nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #105

CORRECT Skittles Jan 2012 #90

depends on age.. younger women (<35) tend to be keeping their maiden name or hyphenating.. ddeclue Jan 2012 #47

I have found there are women I was friends with whom no one I know can locate due to the ID Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #48

I'm married 25 years and I kept my own last name (I'm <50) nt riderinthestorm Jan 2012 #55

On the other hand, I didn't like my last name and had no pride 1monster Jan 2012 #56

It's something to remember when building a Web site DavidDvorkin Jan 2012 #57

One would have to, since that name disappears. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #63

It survives on Classmates.com DavidDvorkin Jan 2012 #70

I see. Ok. It's funny but most people don't even know some married women's real names - only Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #76

My wife feels strongly that her married name is her real name DavidDvorkin Jan 2012 #132

I wish people would quit telling others what to do joeglow3 Jan 2012 #59

What's wrong with discussing an interesting topic on a forum? Peregrine Took Jan 2012 #65

Read the topic title again joeglow3 Jan 2012 #69

I don't see anyone telling another what to do .... ? etherealtruth Jan 2012 #71

Really? I would think step 1 before clicking on a topic title is to read it. joeglow3 Jan 2012 #73

Wishing is not telling ....? etherealtruth Jan 2012 #77

You can play semantics all you want. The point remains the same. joeglow3 Jan 2012 #82

Its not a semantics game etherealtruth Jan 2012 #91

I kept mine graywarrior Jan 2012 #61

Great!! I don't understand the point of it, unless the woman feels subservient. Very odd. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #66

The notion that others may prefer things other than what you do NEVER occurred, did it? joeglow3 Jan 2012 #72

I'm sorry, but I am annoyed. I do NOT feel subservient to my husband. CaliforniaPeggy Jan 2012 #120

Thank you! scorpiogirl Jan 2012 #180

Now it's coming out snooper2 Jan 2012 #207

I don't particularly want to be found by anyone from my childhood Pool Hall Ace Jan 2012 #62

I'm not sure it is as widespread in europe as you seem to think. Quantess Jan 2012 #64

In Spain, that's the only way it is. I lived there for many years. Not one of my female Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #68

It's a matter of choice really lillypaddle Jan 2012 #67

I don't think there's an individual pressure to do so, nope. I think it's a societal "pressure" and Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #74

You mean "societal pressure" lillypaddle Jan 2012 #79

I wish I'd have kept my maiden name. There are lots of people with my madmom Jan 2012 #80

Your daughter is a writer? That's great! Congrats, madmom! Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #84

Well she's trying to be, ...thanks madmom Jan 2012 #131

After my divorce I had the option of keeping my married name. Hatchling Jan 2012 #85

That would be a name change. I once encountered a surname, Penix, which definitely should have Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #99

Whose last name should the children get? ecstatic Jan 2012 #86

See response #22. I think that pretty much explains the European fashion for children's surnames - Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #98

Spain is in Europe but is not all of Europe. Most other countries in Europe go with family name, typ uppityperson Jan 2012 #194

Most countries don't expect women to take the last name of the groom's father. Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #230

They do in France. If you read the whole wiki bit you quoted, you would see that. uppityperson Jan 2012 #244

In Italy the wife keeps her family name and the children take the name of the father Veruca Salt Jan 2012 #291

Sign of the Times: All my female friends use both their names on Facebook. Fawke Em Jan 2012 #89

Great! The use of our own name is important. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #93

I'm in favor of a woman's right to choose on this issue. Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #94

Definitely forso genealogy it is WONDERFUL to keep it HockeyMom Jan 2012 #95

It IS wonderful. The younger generation will change the old, useless tradition. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #97

YEAH Michelle Obama (nee Robinson) is such a fuddy-duddy old traditionalist (nt) Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #122

Here's an interesting wiki article related to name changes after marriage worldwide etherealtruth Jan 2012 #106

Yes, it's a good article. We were using that to discuss French women using their own name Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #107

It's interesting to note that in Islam etherealtruth Jan 2012 #110

Even there! I lived in Spain for many years (my grandparents are full-blooded Spaniards) and Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #112

I think we're actually naming the Y chromosome Duer 157099 Jan 2012 #108

Interesting theory. :) nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #115

It seems to me that a lotof women are using their original last name as a middle when married. aikoaiko Jan 2012 #109

I don't see it too much. I live in Florida, so it might be very old-fashioned and conservative here Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #113

I married a European and she changed her name... JSnuffy Jan 2012 #111

To each their own tammywammy Jan 2012 #118

They do. If they want to change their name they have to go change it. RB TexLa Jan 2012 #119

you wife doesn't share names with you. dionysus Jan 2012 #142

It's a personal choice, and should be. And what petty little reasons for wanting women to do what apocalypsehow Jan 2012 #121

And there are plenty of people that just don't want to be found. tammywammy Jan 2012 #123

Exactly - I hadn't thought of that but you're absolutely correct. apocalypsehow Jan 2012 #127

I wish people would focus on running their own lives, instead of other peoples'. Warren DeMontague Jan 2012 #126

I'd agree with that. n/t vaberella Jan 2012 #130

That's not true. The origin of women losing their names started in Europe & many women give it up. vaberella Jan 2012 #129

My 73-year-old mother has had three last names in her lifetime... WorseBeforeBetter Jan 2012 #133

This is already the case. surrealAmerican Jan 2012 #134

It does vary. You're right, no one is forced at gunpoint to do anything Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #149

It often makes genealogy impossible. jwirr Jan 2012 #135

I don't think going to oe common name for a couple is a bad thing nessesarily Guy Montag Jan 2012 #136

That's always been an option tammywammy Jan 2012 #137

Yes indeed! nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #148

My female european relatives took their husbands' names TexasProgresive Jan 2012 #138

LOL, when I got married my (ex) wife changed her WHOLE name. Edweird Jan 2012 #140

Wow! That's one heck of a change! nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #147

Yeah, but that's just how we rolled... Our wedding bands were tattoos. Edweird Jan 2012 #161

Were they cute tattoos? nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #229

Woven barbed wire. Edweird Jan 2012 #239

I guess one can have a tattoo refreshed? I've never known someone to do it Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #243

That chapter in my life is over. Edweird Jan 2012 #247

Oh. A tattoo fading is a good metaphor for the ending of a relationship Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #248

Women have to change their last names on DL's, S.S. etc Mimosa Jan 2012 #141

Exactly. Unless they petition a court, their legal name remains the same. Like in France per uppityperson Jan 2012 #197

Yes. You have to notify agencies of marriage. Correct. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #232

I'm taking my wife's name and giving mine up. Bonobo Jan 2012 #143

I didn't know that. Very interesting. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #146

That is possible in NY State KamaAina Jan 2012 #208

Changing your name is not automatic karynnj Jan 2012 #153

Here's what my post said: Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #156

I read what you wrote - and I pointed out that changing your name is NOT automatic karynnj Jan 2012 #165

I never said in my post that it was legally required. I did say that women were doing it Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #166

I would say it is seen as traditional - far more than romantic karynnj Jan 2012 #175

When Jane Roe marries John Doe, she becomes Mrs. John Doe, not Mrs. Jane Doe FarCenter Jan 2012 #172

Maybe as far as Emily Post is concerned, but that has nothing to do with what your name is karynnj Jan 2012 #179

My daughter never changed her name for legal and professional purposes, but also uses her husband's FarCenter Jan 2012 #187

Completely agree with you - thanks for the example karynnj Jan 2012 #188

They do automatically keep their last names Charlemagne Jan 2012 #154

This is what my original post says: Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #155

I got a Republican survey form in the mail and they Ilsa Jan 2012 #164

Ew! Well, Repukes are into that. :) They love female subservience a lot! Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #167

I never likedk that custom either. Think about it, your last name is your father's, most likely. raccoon Jan 2012 #168

That'd be fine. I think either both parents' surnames, and keep that forever like men do Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #169

Hi Sarah! Sera_Bellum Jan 2012 #190

Thanks, Sarah. It's always the same handful that come out anti when I post a pro-woman post. :) Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #233

I hyphenated. And agree with you. glinda Jan 2012 #174

I took my wife's surname Paulie Jan 2012 #177

Getting married didn't change who I am and it didn't change my name REP Jan 2012 #181

I'm thinking of hyphenating too - using my mom and dad's surnames with a hyphen. Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #234

My UNmarried name is hyphenated. If I added his, I'd have two hyphens. REP Jan 2012 #245

LOL! That'd be one hyphen too many. :) nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #250

In Holland, many women keep their own name SwissTony Jan 2012 #183

In Soviet Russia, your last name keeps you! AngryAmish Jan 2012 #213

Agreed...I've always said I'd pretty much insist my future wife keep her family name Blue_Tires Jan 2012 #184

Don't "insist". Let her choose; it's her decision (nt) Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #200

LOL my name is my own Blue_Tires Jan 2012 #201

I never thought of it like that. Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #202

You sound awesome! I hope you find a wonderful woman. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #235

I'm in the US and I kept my maiden name - lynne Jan 2012 #186

Well, it's a way of doing it without receiving criticism for keeping one's name? Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #236

My wife took my name with pleasure. nt. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #189

Then who gets to name the children? AngryAmish Jan 2012 #191

I explained on post #22. :) nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #237

I detested my maiden name and happily took my husband's name. Jennicut Jan 2012 #195

"Easier in Europe, where everyone keeps their last name when they get married". WRONG uppityperson Jan 2012 #198

But...but, in the Bible, Paul says that wives should submit to their husbands. Zorra Jan 2012 #199

He sure did say that, didn't he? Or so we're told. I'm reading a book that Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #238

Should the children still take their father's name? Motown_Johnny Jan 2012 #203

It is more reliable for geneology for children to take the mother's surname FarCenter Jan 2012 #209

Or have the names of both parents. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #240

did you ever hear the one about doubling a penny each day Motown_Johnny Jan 2012 #246

LOL! Spain has been doing it forever, as have ALL LATIN NATIONS Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #249

so you take both grandfather's names, Motown_Johnny Jan 2012 #269

Don't go giving me any ideas! I might act on them! lol I had some fantastic, kick-ass grandmas nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #270

I have no problem with that. Rex Jan 2012 #204

Perhaps they don't want to "locate" you. RiffRandell Jan 2012 #210

They DO automatically keep their last name jberryhill Jan 2012 #211

Seriously. I don't know why this isn't understood. IF you want to start using another name, you can uppityperson Jan 2012 #218

You don't know why this isn't understood? jberryhill Jan 2012 #221

Funny how "we've always done it" and/or societal expectations get taken as how we must uppityperson Jan 2012 #224

I wish I'd kept mine stuntcat Jan 2012 #212

I took my husband's name because it was the thing everyone did. Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #241

They do. The woman has to change it, otherwise her name stays the same. TheManInTheMac Jan 2012 #214

In a way, it's more anti-men Ter Jan 2012 #215

You can change your name just as easily as any woman tammywammy Jan 2012 #226

Name changes consist of filling out a form at the courthouse. I did it. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #231

Seems to me that your major gripe about this iwillalwayswonderwhy Jan 2012 #216

My wife doesn't use my last name. 99Forever Jan 2012 #220

Exactly. It really isn't a complication for people to keep their last name. In fact, it's Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #242

My wife did. WilliamPitt Jan 2012 #222

Yep, I remember when I got married and became Mrs. (Put last name of my husband's father), I then Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #258

A guy I went to school with changed his name and took his wifes last name. yourout Jan 2012 #223

I did a name change in court. One doesn't really need an atty. It's easy as filling out a form. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #257

Women in the US do automatically keep their last name slutticus Jan 2012 #225

I do think Mr & Mrs Slutticus does have a nice ring to it. n/t tammywammy Jan 2012 #227

:) Yes, freaking the family out would not do at all. I try not to do too much of that to mine. Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #256

I remained myself Dorian Gray Jan 2012 #228

If the Wife keeps her name, which name do the kids get? krawhitham Jan 2012 #255

Before I gave up on trying to stay pregnant for 9 months, we agreed that a boy eridani Jan 2012 #288

I do too Aerows Jan 2012 #259

Good! :) nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #260

I wondered this: how do gay folks deal with names and marriage in general? Anybody? Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #261

I'll be keeping mine but only because his is too common. ceile Jan 2012 #262

Cool. It's interesting what people decide to do. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #263

My elaborate system to resolve this issue once and for all: Hosnon Jan 2012 #264

Cool ideas! nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #265

to be clear, are you advocating to remove the rights of women who wish to change their names? maggiesfarmer Jan 2012 #268

Right? lol It's a remnant from when women were subservient - Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #271

let me rephrase, since you didn't answer my question maggiesfarmer Jan 2012 #272

Re-read my original post, and then re-read what I just responded to you. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #274

I did. again. I'll try once more maggiesfarmer Jan 2012 #280

Return to my original post. Obviously, you are fishing for something that's not there Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #281

no, I'm not fishing. please take my questions at face value maggiesfarmer Jan 2012 #287

It should be up to the person bigwillq Jan 2012 #273

That goes without saying, since females are the ones encouraged to take the groom's father's surname Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #275

Then you can't fault the folks bigwillq Jan 2012 #276

I do wonder if men were "encouraged" to take the name of the bride's father, what they would do. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #277

I hope they would do bigwillq Jan 2012 #278

But the issue is that they are not encouraged to drop their name nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #282

No one forces anyone to do something they don't want to do bigwillq Jan 2012 #284

Did I say force? I said encouraged. They're encouraged to retain the Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #285

And maybe some women like it bigwillq Jan 2012 #286

I'm sure. And perhaps it should be encouraged of men (to take the bride's father's surname). nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #289

Fine by me bigwillq Jan 2012 #290

I will keep my maiden name and add my husband's name...no hypen. blueamy66 Jan 2012 #279

I have no problems with a woman keeping their last names but if they do/did would it only annihitate Synicus Maximus Jan 2012 #283

In Spain, the child takes both last names, mom's and dad's. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #293

Here's a really good explanation of names in the country of my 4 grandparents: Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #292

I kept my name...both times ;) KathieG Jan 2012 #294

Good for you! I plan on doing the same. nt Sarah Ibarruri Jan 2012 #295