I found myself in the kitchen break room with my newly married supervisor and another coworker (woman) who has been married for 30 years, as the newly married women described the process of changing her name to her husband's name. Everyone in the office were reveling in how complicated the process was. Most of the women had no idea about the lengthy process, but wait most of the women in my office are married. SCCCCRRRREEECCCHHHH (that is my attempt at record scratching....and head scratching actually).
Did I miss something? Women don't take their husband's last name anymore? Well color me surprised* Does anyone else find this odd or is this part of my country mentality? I have heard of women that hyphenated or didn't take their husbands' name because their name was already famous i.e. Halle Berry. Is this the new generation woman? Is it due to laziness? What kind of explanations do they offer for keeping their last names and which ones do men actually accept? I joke with my bf that if we ever decided to make that huge step that I would keep my name or hyphen it or he could take my name. He never appreciates the joke as much as I do lol.
So back to the conversation in the kitchen. We decided that maybe because some of the women were westerners that it was more clearly accepted there and we Easterners were more traditional when it came to last names. This solution, of course, wasn't really feasible or true, but whatever we only get an hour for lunch.
Me? Well, I believe that a new marriage is an act of creating a new family and becoming a part of a new team that will include my children. And while these women are perfectly fine with having a different last name then their children, I know I will not only get the side eye every time I sign my name on a permission slip (Oh your mommy has a different last name then you, so sad that Black people don't get married and raise children together), but I want to be part of the "Husband's last name" team.
P.S. A man I would change my name for Obama 2012. Sing that song, Obama!
*that's my country coming out
** I feel like yesterday was not my usual up to par posting. I fully recognize it and plan to "go harder" Happy weekend loves! <3 MUAH
I cannot tell you in person now and you like it when people comment so here is my thought: American feminism might be one reason, although I can see why people would not be sometimes willing to admit that. But you know, historically, the whole taking the husband's name thing was to show that you belong to the man, as in property belonging almost. (It's much clearer in Slavic languages and I can explain that if you want me to :)) That being said, I'm not saying that I'm against taking the husband's name.
ReplyDeleteInteresting Barbora! Thanks for the comment. I didn't even think of it from an international standpoint! See you soon! Hopefully...
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