Should Married Women Change Their Last Names?

Should married women change their last names? People have done it for hundreds of years but times are changing. Is it still appropriate for a woman to legally change her name and merge her husband’s identity with her own? According to feminist, Jill Filipovic, it is not. She strongly believes that a name gives someone their identity and changing it will create an entirely different person. Although I agree with certain aspects of Filipovic’s arguments, she includes points that are completely one-sided. She views this topic as black and white, however, it contains several grey areas. I agree that your last name gives you a sense of identity and is easier professionally but I disagree that it creates a different person, is easier personally and …show more content…
His last name will not change the person I am but will add to me. It will complete who I am. Taking his last name will not erase the memories I had with my current name. It will open doors to a new chapter in my life. Traditionally, women were property when they got married but now marriage is more about love. Love that is demonstrated by sharing a name. To me, a man offering to share his name is the greatest compliment someone can receive. He is giving you something people take pride in and do not share with just anyone. Part of Filipovic’s argument is that the husband and children should take the wife’s name. I do not agree because it would be encroaching on the men in the wife’s family. It is their name to pass on to their children. Just like its her husband’s name to pass his on to his own children. Women have the ability to carry and give birth to their children which connects them forever. Men do not have that ability, therefore, the same last name would be the only way to truly link and a man and his children. Another argument Filipovic presents is that if a man refuses to accept your name as his it is because he believes your identity is inferior. However, I do not agree. A man changing his name just is not socially acceptable. Men would have a harder time adjusting because it is almost unheard of. For women, it is …show more content…
Times are changing and so are opinions. The idea of women changing their last names after marriage is a topic of concern debated by feminists like Jill Filipovic. She testifies that name changing erases the woman’s identity and is easier from a professional standpoint. I agree on some of the points brought up in Filipovic’s argument but overall I disagree with her. Not changing the name would not be easier personally and does not create a different person. The woman is whoever she wants to be. Filipovic’s arguments are also hypocritical and biased. As when she says the man and children should take the mother’s name. Why is it fair for the man to merge his identity with his wife’s but not fair the other way around? All in all, it is a woman’s decision. She can change her name if she wants to. There are negatives and positives to each decision; like with any