Search icon

News

10th Mar 2017

Less educated men have more of an issue with a woman keeping her maiden name

Amanda Cassidy

Bride's dream wedding photos 'ruined' by giant billboard

Does your husband want you to take his married name? Why doesn’t he take yours?

Sometimes traditions evolve for a reason – but should it really matter?

Well, new research says it does, especially to men who are less educated.

A study published in Gender Issues and carried out by Portland State University found that most people don’t think women taking their husband’s last names are any more committed to their husbands.

Except for lower educated men who seem to have a big problem with those of us who kept our maiden name.

Now, in fairness, this study was based on American perceptions – where another study also found that 50% of Americans think women should be legally obligated to take their husband’s last names.

Go figure.

The author of the study is Emily Fitzgibbons Shafer:

“The results highlight how women could still receive backlash in their personal lives if they are perceived as putting themselves before their marriage or their family. While people may not judge a woman who keeps her surname, they might have strong opinions as to what is best for a woman especially if they are less educated, meaning they are also less exposed to more open-minded thinking”

What do you think about keeping your name or why shouldn’t more men take their wife’s name?

Topics:

new study