Would you change your name to your wife's surname?
A number of blogs have been reporting that Toke Makinwa won't be taking her husband's surname. Not officially anyway. And I was wondering why that was even news worthy. So, she isn't changing her name,big deal. Do guys even realize the pain the name change thing can be. To the point you change your signature sef.
Seriously though, why is this a prerequisite to marriage. I think its outdated. It shouldn't be a big deal if a woman does not take her husband's name. Let's even analyze this trend.
WHY was it started and what has it achieved?
Who profits from this?
Why aren't guys required to change their own surnames?
Would love to hear from guys? Do u still feel it's important for your wives to change their surname to yours? Why is it important?Would you consider changing it to hers?
Before you shout, remember that's the trend in some tribes in Ghana. And the children take the wife's surname. Hit me up guys and gals. Let's try to make this an active chat.
I think there are numerous reasons why people (especially women) change name after marriage. Historically, it is most likely linked to the fact that husbands often picked wives from different villages and after marriage, travelled with them back to their home. The only way the woman could be identified was by adopting the man's name. Over the years, numerous social reasons have joined this- they include but are not limited to social recognition and status that come with being married; probably easier to claim ownership and establish status should the man die; for tax purposes and to claim benefits associated with marriage; to avoid confusion when children are born. In the old days, there were no significant costs or problems associated with a woman changing her name (except for the occasions where a family had only daughters and there was no one left to continue the family name when they all married). In time, things have changed and the double standards of this practice has become clear (everything the woman has done up till marriage are in one name and might be difficult to link to things done after marriage in another name). There are no benefits, per se to speak of except those conferred socially. The case of children is also no longer a valid argument- the important thing is that the correct name of both parents is noted on the birth certificate and valid documents and they will be fine. For a lot of men, it remains a thing of pride for his wife and children to bear his name (although I know of quite a few guys that have changed their last names from that of their father or modified it when they became of age). I think the most important things are that it should be entirely left to choice (with no advantages or disadvantages for those that choose to or not) and that it should be done in a consistent manner for both men and women...
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and commenting. Well said or should i say, well written. I couldn't have said it better myself. lol
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