(Untitled)

[theshiversbaby]

Are there any titles for women (along the lines of Miss & Mrs.) that aren't defined by her relationship to a man? I do not consider the frequently-used "Ms." to be a good substitute. "Ms." whines, "I wanted to find a title that didn't automatically declare me either an unwed daughter or a wife, but I lacked the creativity to invent anything

Comments

[needlesinmyneck]

To be the Devil's Advocate, there's one very good reason for at least one half of a married couple to change his/her last name: taxes. If you don't have the same surname, you can't file jointly, at least in most places, which means it costs you more money most of the time. That's not to say that you both can't hyphenate or do whatever other clever thing you want. Or if you don't care, just leave it the same.

Personally, I think the point of changing a name is to recognize that you're a different person than you were before, regardless of why you change it. That should probably make name changing with marriage a both or neither situation, but maybe not. I guess I can see situations (and even non-negative ones) where one person changes and another doesn't. It's one of those things I assume I'll figure out when I get there.

[theshiversbaby]

I like the idea of changing your name to reflect that you're a different person, but if you're changing it to the man's name, that idea makes it even worse. What have you changed in to? I would like more people to be open to it being a both-neither situation. Many women, I know, want to take the man's name, but I'm sure many don't and do just so they won't be ostracized or to make things "simpler."

I didn't know you couldn't file jointly with different names! Damn. I'm not cheap but I hate feeling like I'm losing money for no reason.

And as far as figuring it out when you get there...I feel the same. It's going to be hilarious when I fall head over heels in love and change my name to Fartknocker or something equally hideous.

[bluespiralbound]

Actually, I just had a friend change her name when she got married; she faced a bit of social ostracism and outrage because of it. All of her high powered girlfriends were horrified that she became a Mrs.

[mariererere]

your icon is really preeeetty! sorry for not commenting on anything but your picture...i'm just looking at LJ pictures right now..teeheeeee

[theshiversbaby]

Thank you! :)

[bluespiralbound]

I've always been a big proponent of keeping my own name. Who I am will not change just because I get married, so why should my name change? I started rethinking it recently, though