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
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