Persuasive Essay
Persuasive essay is a form of writing that aims to convince readers to adopt a specific viewpoint by using logical reasoning combined with emotional appeal. It can be used in both academic and personal contexts to influence the audience's perspective.
Persuasive Essay: Should a Woman Take Her Husband's Last Name After Marrying Him?
Names are of great importance to people and society as a whole. People use names as a way of identifying each other easily. When it comes to changing names, a person can legally change his or her name in case of any errors or any other complications. Typically, the law in the United States and other parts of the world allows women to change their names after marriage (Keels & Powers, 2013). On the contrary, it is the choice of a woman to drop her maiden name and take her husband last name after marriage. For me, women should legally change their surname and take husband’s last name, in an effort to comply with cultural traditions, norms, and beliefs, as well as other requirements of marriage in some religions. The purpose of this essay is to conduct a critical evaluation of the statement: “Should a woman take her husband's last name after marrying him?”
As marriage is a social rite that unites two people who love each other, a married woman can decide to drop her surname and take husband’s last name. Although changing legal names is a multifaceted thing in many areas, marriage gives a woman an option to drop their maiden name (Keels & Powers, 2013). For the purpose of individualism, a woman needs to keep her birth name to maintain her personal identity and the bond between her and her family members. However, many cultural values expect a married woman to change her surname into husband’s last name, in order to be united with her husband and kids by one name. This is an indication that marital name changing is meant to bring married couples and their children together.
In addition, in some areas, the surname of a woman changes automatically to her husband’s last name following the marriage ceremony. According to Anthony (2010), some laws, religious values, and gender norms expect women to take part in the marital name changing. Consequently, marital name changing must occur in case a woman decides to marry a man, in order to adhere to marriage laws, traditions, and cultural practices. This suggests that, although marriage cultural norms and legal support create a sense of gender inequality, married women have to stick to these rules and beliefs.
Women drop their maiden name and take the partner’s last name as a way of showing commitment to the marriage. Despite the influence of feminism, changing marital name occurs in modern societies to create a sense of belonging and increase marriage commitment. Social changes, such as increasing gender equality and legalization of same-sex marriage, have led to the emergence of new trends when it comes to a marital surname (Hosie, 2016). Due to these issues, a woman finds it hard to take her husband’s last name. Some opt to take husband’s last name to keep their bond strong and as a form of marital commitment. Further, some married women use their birth name, maiden name, and husband’s name to maintain their family ties and keep their relationship healthy. In sum, combining surnames together or taking a husband’s name in any other way help married women keep the links to their families.
In conclusion, a woman should take her husband's last name after marrying him. A woman should change her maiden name because of the following reasons: bringing her husband and children together by name; adherence to legal requirements and cultural traditions; and strengthening marriage commitment.
References
Anthony, D. J. (2010). A spouse by any other name. William & Mary Journal of Women and the Law, 17 (1), 187-222.
Hosie, R. (2016). Should A Woman Take Her Husband's Last Name? And What Happens If You're In A Same-Sex Marriage? Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/husbands-last-name-should-you-take-it-marriage-politics-same-sex-couples-a7437366.html
Keels, M. M., & Powers, R. S. (2013). Marital Name Changing: Delving Deeper into Women’s Reasons. Advances in Applied Sociology, 03(07), 301-306. https://doi.org/10.4236/aasoci.2013.37038
