it doesn’t have to be about property, it can be about showing off that your officially one family now. And i think that’s a valid reason for changing your last name (aka family name)
You can always opt to take on a double name, you can both take on your wife’s name if you prefer that, or whatever. But just because a woman chooses to take her husband’s name, doesn’t mean that she’s now his property. Your children also aren’t your property just because they have your last name
Edit: And before someone brings up the fact that the historic reason is property: Things can change and people like to stick to certain traditions regardless of the history that the tradition carries.
Just because your last name is Smith doesn’t mean that you need to become a blacksmith, even though that’s where the name originates from
Absolutely, for many it’s nice to be under one name even if there is no legal need. I do think though that in a world where taking the male family name is not a default and anything can happen, double barrelling becomes problematic as a solution. You can only double barrel so many times! We need a new tradition that is equal for everyone and scales well. My favourite is what I once witnessed at a fantastic wedding. Before cutting their cake, the happy couple literally did a coin flip to choose who would take the other’s name. It was easily the most exciting part of the day.
it doesn’t have to be about property, it can be about showing off that your officially one family now. And i think that’s a valid reason for changing your last name (aka family name)
You can always opt to take on a double name, you can both take on your wife’s name if you prefer that, or whatever. But just because a woman chooses to take her husband’s name, doesn’t mean that she’s now his property. Your children also aren’t your property just because they have your last name
Edit: And before someone brings up the fact that the historic reason is property: Things can change and people like to stick to certain traditions regardless of the history that the tradition carries.
Just because your last name is Smith doesn’t mean that you need to become a blacksmith, even though that’s where the name originates from
A bit off-topic the last part reminds me of Terry Pratchett - Lords and Ladies
The Lancre Morris Men the mixup of name and occupation is a good gag.
Absolutely, for many it’s nice to be under one name even if there is no legal need. I do think though that in a world where taking the male family name is not a default and anything can happen, double barrelling becomes problematic as a solution. You can only double barrel so many times! We need a new tradition that is equal for everyone and scales well. My favourite is what I once witnessed at a fantastic wedding. Before cutting their cake, the happy couple literally did a coin flip to choose who would take the other’s name. It was easily the most exciting part of the day.
That sounds pretty cool actually