Comments on: Truth: the four, er, five-letter word

By: edwin coleman

edwin coleman — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:47:15 +0000

Woman shouldn’t change their name on marriage - nor should men want them too; but of course you could anyway adopt the Patti Smith strategy of finding someone to marry with the same surname as yours, so the problem doesn’t arise. Probably more rational than the usual systems for choosing a spouse.

By: bakerboy

bakerboy — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:06:17 +0000

Recently Married woman - modern married women don’t change their name these days. Don’t do it just to please your partner, he may dump you one day!

By: RaymondChurch

RaymondChurch — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:58:40 +0000

Re Spotted Jackie O…so lets hear it, what does she really think of the lie detector controversy??

By: Liz45

Liz45 — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:12:43 +0000

I changed my name in 1962 - I was separated in 1985 for the final time, and wished I’d changed my name back to my original - there were other pressures at the time. But I wish I’d never changed it in the first place. There’s no legal impediment to do it. Even on your marriage certificate women sign their original name. Why do it? Particularly, as the rate for divorce is so high (not a good motive to go into a marriage I suppose, but it’s practical). Kids can have two surnames - many do. Terese Rein didn’t change her name. It’s just another way in which women’s identity is deemed inferior to a man’s. It’s ricidulous! It’s not your name that makes the relationship work, or feel like a couple etc. But it’s still good to also be an individual; with your own friends and personality.

By: David Stephens

David Stephens — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:00:25 +0000

Don’t change your name - and this is a bloke talking!

By: Terri Cowley

Terri Cowley — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:42:23 +0000

I couldn’t agree more with Jo and Faith. I believe in each to their own and choice for all etc, but it disappoints me that so many intelligent, accomplished women change their names without even thinking about it. Often the husband’s family brings pressure to bear, which smacks of forsaking one family for another. The tradition of a wife taking on her husband’s family name is unheard of in many other cultures that are accused of being less enlightened than ours.

By: Faith Austin

Faith Austin — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:19:39 +0000

My sentiments entirely. Why on earth would you bother changing your name, you don’t HAVE to, it is NOT compulsory.

By: Jo Dyer

Jo Dyer — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:07:04 +0000

I think the difficulty in changing one’s name should give those thousands of women married every year pause for thought as to why so many of them are still going through the ridiculous ritual of abandoning their identity in favour of their husband’s at the point of marriage? Spooky how so many women will nominate every reason under the sun - my surname is difficult to spell, my husband is the last of his bloodline and how could we let his name disappear? - rather than admit they remain captive to the patriarchal norms of our society.