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!amylamigo2@ihuxq.UUCP (John Hobson) (02/10/84)
Amy Lapwing says: >> 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. One point to add. In England, one's legal name is one's first name(s), including any "middle" names. That is why the marriage ceremony in the Book of Common Prayer says "Do you, first name, take first name, here present, as..." Last names may be freely assumed to be anything you want, as long as there is no intent to defraud. This was started in the Middle Ages, when last names were more a matter of custom than anything else, and it was continued so as to make it easy for illegitimate children to get the name of their father. (I'm not saying I approve, I'm just telling how it is.) John Hobson AT&T Bell Labs Naperville, IL (312) 979-0193 ihnp4!ihuxq!amigo2