4 ms·

> and deal with the social problems that entails Can somebody explain a bit on what social problems can women expect in US for not changing names?

organsnyder 9y ago
The main social problem comes when you have kids: if partners have different names, the kids will have names that don't match one of the partners, or will need a hyphenated-combination of the two. The ramifications of this will depend on how common it is for women to not change their names in your particular locale: if it's uncommon, there will be some confusion when people expect children and parents' names to match, as well as people wondering about whether the child is actually your stepchild, etc. Of course, those judgmental/insensitive reactions are inappropriate, but they do happen.
- Aardwolf 9y ago
  Kids name not matching is a much smaller deal than changing your name. Because it doesn't affect anything in practice what their name versus parents name is, a name is an identifier of a person. Changing a name on the other hand gives practical problems such as for any copyrights, email address, source code, publications, etc...
  - kelnos 9y ago
    > Kids name not matching is a much smaller deal than changing your name. That's easy to say, but that's just your personal feelings on the matter. My sister left her name alone when she got married, but changed her mind (and her name) when she got pregnant, specifically because she wanted her kid to have the same last name as her. I would probably make the opposite decision if I were in her shoes, but it was her decision, based on her desires and what makes her the most happy; not mine, and not yours. > Because it doesn't affect anything in practice what their name versus parents name is Depending on where you live, there can be social confusion and even a stigma. Maybe you're lucky in that where you live that isn't a problem, but that's not the case everywhere. > Changing a name on the other hand gives practical problems such as for any copyrights, email address, source code, publications, etc... No one's saying there aren't practical problems, but if the name change is worth it to you, then by definition you have accepted that trade off as also being worth it.
35bge57dtjku 9y ago
Basically none. You have to explain it to family members and other people occasionally. It's not like the hospital's going to ask for your last name and demand a marriage certificate if it differs when you go to see your sick spouse.

organsnyder 9y ago

The main social problem comes when you have kids: if partners have different names, the kids will have names that don't match one of the partners, or will need a hyphenated-combination of the two. The ramifications of this will depend on how common it is for women to not change their names in your particular locale: if it's uncommon, there will be some confusion when people expect children and parents' names to match, as well as people wondering about whether the child is actually your stepchild, etc. Of course, those judgmental/insensitive reactions are inappropriate, but they do happen.

Aardwolf 9y ago
Kids name not matching is a much smaller deal than changing your name. Because it doesn't affect anything in practice what their name versus parents name is, a name is an identifier of a person. Changing a name on the other hand gives practical problems such as for any copyrights, email address, source code, publications, etc...
- kelnos 9y ago
  > Kids name not matching is a much smaller deal than changing your name. That's easy to say, but that's just your personal feelings on the matter. My sister left her name alone when she got married, but changed her mind (and her name) when she got pregnant, specifically because she wanted her kid to have the same last name as her. I would probably make the opposite decision if I were in her shoes, but it was her decision, based on her desires and what makes her the most happy; not mine, and not yours. > Because it doesn't affect anything in practice what their name versus parents name is Depending on where you live, there can be social confusion and even a stigma. Maybe you're lucky in that where you live that isn't a problem, but that's not the case everywhere. > Changing a name on the other hand gives practical problems such as for any copyrights, email address, source code, publications, etc... No one's saying there aren't practical problems, but if the name change is worth it to you, then by definition you have accepted that trade off as also being worth it.

35bge57dtjku 9y ago

Basically none. You have to explain it to family members and other people occasionally. It's not like the hospital's going to ask for your last name and demand a marriage certificate if it differs when you go to see your sick spouse.