Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Why do women still change their names?
Position‹4 of 4

Toxic masculinity means that men are less willing to change their surnames

Proponents argue that the practice persists because the symmetrical option is closed off: expectations about men make taking a wife's surname a source of ridicule, so a shared family name can only be reached by the woman changing hers.

Supporting arguments · 2

  1. A shared name has only one available route once the other is foreclosed
  2. Ridicule aimed at men who change names reveals how the practice is understood