Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Why do women still change their names?
Position1 of 4›

Fearing stigmatisation from appearing "too feminist" causes women to change their surnames

Proponents argue that keeping a surname reads as a political statement, so women who do not wish to be labelled too feminist by family, colleagues or acquaintances change their names to avoid the stigma that choice would attract.

Supporting arguments · 2

  1. Keeping a surname reads as a statement, so it carries a cost changing does not
  2. The stigma is paid in repeated encounters with family, in-laws and colleagues