amyl@gatech.UUCP (Amy Lapwing) (02/10/84)
Rather than seek to standardize the naming of family members in general, and children in particular, a desirable change might be to de-standardize naming. Is there any reason why all American family names should be formed in the same way, as they typically have been up till now? More and more we see women keeping their *maiden* names rather than taking the names of their husbands. This is accepted. So is the traditional practice of taking your husband's name. I've even read of a husband who took his wife's name. I've heard the suggestion that a couple take on a completely new name that they like and that has some particular meaning to them. All of these ways of naming are accepted, though they might necessitate explanation! But, hey, everyone loves a good story, right? And then there are the children. In some families, the children are given the father's name. In others, the children of divorced parents keep the name of their biological father, and children born of the new union take the name of their own father. And maybe in some families, the children have a name entirely different from that/those of their parents, but I haven't ever met members of such a family. My point is simply this: we should all feel that we have a choice in our name. Legally I believe this is so: you are who you say you are. Therefore, don't be overly concerned with what your name should be. If you're about to get married, you and your intended spouse should discuss the name issue: will the family members all carry the same name; will the parents have different names; will the children have different names. The choice you make has no intrinsic importance. It is only important that you like your name. -- Amy Lapwing School of ICS, Georgia Tech, Atlanta GA CSNet: Amyl @ GATech ARPA: Amyl.GATech @ CSNet-Relay uucp: ...!{akgua,allegra,rlgvax,sb1,unmvax,ut-ngp,ut-sally}!gatech!amyl