[AOcutiePi4ever]

Originally posted by valkyrie
I can't quite put my finger on exactly why I won't change my name. To me, it's bigger than just professional, but I don't think that saying it's independence is really right either, because I'm independent no matter what my name is. I just don't agree with the custom of the woman changing her name and I don't see how it's relevant to my life (that's not to say that I have any opinion on whether or not anybody else should or shouldn't change her name -- I'm only talking about myself). I think it's just a tradition -- and I'm not one for traditions unless I agree with them. My name is rather ethnic and very difficult -- it's impossible to spell, pronounce, and very long. Yes, it came from a man, but as soon as I was born, it became mine. It's been my name for my entire life, and as cumbersome as it is, it's mine.

Since I don't want to have kids, what name they'd get isn't an issue to me. However, I would not give kids dad's last name without at least a discussion. Since my name is so difficult, giving them hyphenated names would be unpleasant, but I don't see a problem with making up a new name for them that incorporates both mother and father's names -- or, making up a whole new name for the family. I don't see the big deal, either, about having differnent names within a family, and could see giving a girl mom's last name or a boy dad's, or something along those lines.

Also, it would offend me if anyone ever called me Mrs., especially Mrs. Hisfirst Hislast. That's just not for me, ever.

you hit it right on the money. if i get married i will NOT change my name. nopenopenope. i hate patriarchal customs. i also dont plan on having any kids, but if we did have an 'accident', s/he would get my last name. (-;