Why is it most women change their last name after getting married?

[the_bob_delusion]

Why?

[kopenhagen5]

I thought that was obvious.

A marriage is the beginning of a new family and tradition has been to take the mans family name.

Many in Scandinavia use both, hyphenated.

[lind9650]

When I married Peter eight years ago, I was told that I could keep my name and still be legally Peters wife. I declined, not only because I am oldfasined, but I felt that if I refused to take Peters name, I would diminish the value of his proposal to marry him.

Years ago there was no choice, but now things have changed. Many women have careers and made a name for themselves in the Business world, so they keep their own name, or as Kopenhagen said, hyphernate both names.

Erica

[jessicadazzler97]

Out of respect for their husbands, I presume.

[i-need-a-martini]

False sense of romance and just plain dumbness!

That's why I did and have regretted it enormously since.

It's also a subliminal acceptance of mens superiority that has been drummed into us for so long.

Ironically this is a particularly western idea. Italian women keep their surnames for example. I don't know why I didn't follow the examples set by my ancestors and relatives. 

[the_great_she_elephant]

Gina Rinehart's first husband, Greg Milton, changed his last name to Hayward shortly before he married her. 

[horizon1907]

Many today dont. I think it's a great idea. Keep it the same.

[azureline**]

Tradition..............

I know quite a few people who didn't............... some even chose a "new" family name instead, so both partners have the new name... and the children.

[lurker172602]

A couple I know both hyphenated their names.  That seems fair to me.  They don't have any children though, so I don't know what might happen down the generations with that idea.  

My DiL couldn't change her name fast enough, I have no idea why.  She's a strong independent woman and there was really no need or expectation.  I must ask her sometime.............

[the_bob_delusion]

---

@i-need-a-martini wrote:

False sense of romance and just plain dumbness!

That's why I did and have regretted it enormously since.

It's also a subliminal acceptance of mens superiority that has been drummed into us for so long.

Ironically this is a particularly western idea. Italian women keep their surnames for example. I don't know why I didn't follow the examples set by my ancestors and relatives. 

---

Yeah, it does make women somewhat of a subordinate. I wonder why in the feministic 21st century, there's not a kafuffle about it.