Saturday February 6, 2010, 6:03 pm
I never really thought about the name change when I first got married but it does sound like a nice idea to keep my original name. My original name is on my diplomas and degrees and I started out. I am an artist and I had a whole bunch of post cards created with my original name before I was married and after I could not use them because of name change. So there is merit to it. Especially with the divorce rate being so high these days.

Saturday February 6, 2010, 6:18 pm
I kept my maiden and added the married; when I got divorced it was and is such a problem!! All sorts of combinations; crap-I am SUCH a romantic...if I ever get married again I will do it the same because of LOVE! :)

Saturday February 6, 2010, 6:21 pm
Hey, I'm single!! LOL

Saturday February 6, 2010, 6:27 pm
Hey John-you ARE a CATCH!!!!

I am single too!!! :)

Saturday February 6, 2010, 6:27 pm
I've been waiting the law regarding "name change" change, for the same years of my marriage life, but it does not go anywhere. Everytime it looks positive (for me and likeminded people), there's an outcry of opposition. I reallt don't understand why those people can't simply let us choose, either to have the same surname with the spouses or to keep our own.

I'm using my "maiden name" among friends from my "before-marriage" days and groups in whch my family life is irrevalent, like Care2. Then I'm known with my "marriage name" among relatively new friends, especially those I came to know through my son's school activities.

Saturday February 6, 2010, 6:31 pm
I added the married after my maiden with NO hyphen--but after going through all of the red tape stuff I think if I ever get married again HE will have to change HIS name too...
oh MORE red tape B.S. :)
*sigh*

Saturday February 6, 2010, 6:35 pm
Still with keeping your maiden name you are still part of only one side of your family..your father's so only your first name is really the true you.

Saturday February 6, 2010, 6:40 pm
I was 35 when I got married... that was who I was then, and after I got married, and after the divorce, and who I am now...everyone is different; every story too...:)
to each, their own!!! :)
I am who I am INSIDE. THAT will NOT change.

Saturday February 6, 2010, 6:45 pm
OMG, I visited the site again and started reading comments after comments, most of which criticise Emma. It was an eye-opening (even shocking) to me that even in the US (is it US she lives?) so many women long to change their names to the husbands'. sigh....

Saturday February 6, 2010, 6:53 pm
You cannot currently send a star to Laura because you have done so within the last week. (10 minutes ago) LOL

Saturday February 6, 2010, 7:27 pm
John-LOL Thanks for the thought!!! :)

Saturday February 6, 2010, 7:32 pm
@ Naoko That's why I wanted to share this article. After reading the article, I had no negative thoughts about it, but I was shocked after reading many negative comments of her articles. I didn't find the article offensive in any way. Some people misinterpreted her when she said she lost respect for women who did take their husband's last names. She didn't mean she lost respect for the person, but for the decision they chose to male. Oh, and thank you for the Green Star Naoko :)

Saturday February 6, 2010, 8:02 pm
And it seems many forgot that you lose not only your maiden name but your first name also, if you become "Mrs." I was born (and am) Naoko Idesawa, and married to a guy named K Ito. My passport shows me as Naoko Ito, which I accept with regret, but I suppose in western tradition, I am Mrs. K Ito, when, say, a friend invites us to a party. Mr. and Mrs. K Ito. So my name completely disappears!!

Saturday February 6, 2010, 8:17 pm

I agree with Ms Waverman, her position is well-constructed and she's given this a lot of thought. I also didn't change my name when I got married for all the same reasons, but in addition to that, my husband was (we since divorced) from Sweden where name changes at marriage to the mother's maiden name is quite common.

Americans are very backwards and not very worldly when it comes to the history and customs of family names, and there are many cultures wherein women being forced to take on a man's name at marriage just doesn't exist and where the emphasis on which name is used just isn't the same.

Personally, I think every person - female or male - should get the freedom to choose what name they will use once they reach the age of majority. Let's face it: your parents saddled you with a name, but you should be able to change it and shouldn't be forced to take someone else's name because you are a female. Ancient cultures never gave men and their ridiculous naming conventions any credence. Why? Because men weren't important; lineage is always traceable through the mother...that knew this thousands of years ago...and it's still true. What's the fuss about, anyway?

Great article, thanks for posting it. The childish responses to the article (on the website) are more evidence of culturally brainwashed people who can't think past "tradition" and "culture." These are the same people who would probably accept unequal pay for equal work because, after all, it's "cultural" and "tradition," right? Morons.

Sunday February 7, 2010, 1:47 pm
..

Monday February 15, 2010, 11:44 pm
well.. its a matter of opinion.

some women may actually like the idea of getting her husband's last name.
disregarding other circumstances.

changing your last name to your husbands is a sign of acceptance of two families joining one another in hope of a harmonious coexistence,

well if you hate it that much you can really change your name --> Name Change Uk

Wednesday February 24, 2010, 8:23 pm
Why would you get married if you're so against taking your husbands name? Why wouldn't you be proud to take the name of the person who you love?