Why women change last names upon marriage?

Have you ever asked this to yourself? Why not men change their last names? Is it men are physically, mentally, and emotionally superior than women. From the ancient times, Kings, Pharaohs, Leaders were traditionally males, and not females.

Brides adopt the last name of the groom. Until the 1970’s feminist explosion, few questioned this. Legal documents in various states show most women (roughly eighty-five percent) continue to change names upon marriage. A smaller percentage defer to hyphenation.

The key reasons for a bride taking the groom’s name are:

1. Protection of family lineage and wealth
2. Designation of a new life direction
3. Acknowledgment of God’s presence in and endorsement of the marriage

Here are some of the peoples' thoughts about this issue:

"Most people do because its tradition...but hey, if someone wants to use the wife's name I don't see the big deal. Its up to the couple. Make up a new name for all I care."

"It's personal choice, no one is forcing women to take their husband last name. As for the children "last name", that's up to the parent to decide."

"I like the idea of continuing a family line, based on my last name (from my dad) I can trace back to the old Scottish clan name of my family, and know my Scottish tartan.
Along the lines of which parent carries the name, I know lots of parents who have given their children hyphenated last names to include both parents."

"You aren't required to change your name. You can try and convince him to legally change his last name. Also, you can name a child whatever you want. This doesn't have to be the father's name. My sister, for example, had a son, and though the father and her married, the son's name remains the last name of my family, the mother's name."

"When you get married you're not required to take your husband's last name. Plenty of married women keep their maiden name (or even hyphenate it; ex. "Mary Cline-Smith")."

"It's traditional that you take on your husbands last name, but, it's not a law. If he has brothers who can carry on his families name he can take on your last name to carry on your family name."

The tradition begins in the Old Testament and transcends faith to the polytheistic societies of Greece, Babylonia and Rome where tradition held names changed when life's path or purpose changed.