Since the dawn of time, when a heterosexual couple gets married, the woman usually takes the man's last name. Their maiden name that they've had for however many years of their life - gone. Just like that. No one questions it. Why do we just readily accept this? Why do we give up so much of our life?
In every Christian religion, the woman takes her husband's last name, but the man never takes his wife's name. There's not even a mention of hyphenating.
I am 18 years old. I am an adult. I will graduate college and most likely get my master's with my maiden name. Why should I change my last name just because I found a person I love? If it is really true love, then my future husband will have no problem with me keeping my name.
If I have kids, then their name will, most likely, be hyphenated. I will carry them for 9+ months. I will go through however many hours of labor; or if the situation calls for it, I will be cut open and have my insides torn apart. A baby is a miracle, no doubt, but I will do most of the work. Why should my husband be the only one to get credit? Now, not to say that he won’t have a hand in raising our children, but he does a few minutes worth of work that will result in me going through morning sickness and a number of gestational problems.
When two people get married, they are publicly showing others their love for each other. In reality, all you need is a piece of paper saying that you're husband and wife. Why should I have to go through a process to change my name just because I got married?
It's time for women to reclaim their names.