Women Taking the Husband’s Name
Many women in Western society, aware of the power of names to influence identity, are aware that choosing how to identify themselves after marriage can be a significant decision. They may follow the tradition of taking their husband’s last name, hyphenate their own name and their husband’s, or keep their birth name. One fascinating survey reveals that a woman’s choice is likely to reveal a great deal about herself and her relationship with her husband. Women who take their husband’s name place the most importance on relationships. On the other hand, women who keep their birth names put their personal concerns ahead of relationships and social expectations. Female forms of address influence others’ perceptions as well. Research conducted in the late 1980s showed that women who choose the title Ms. give the impression of being more achievement oriented, socially self-confident, and dynamic but less interpersonally warm than counterparts who prefer the more traditional forms of Miss or Mrs.