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May 31, 2007

More Men Opting for Wife’s Last Name

More and more married women have stopped taking on the last names of their husbands, breaking a patriarchal tradition that has been so ingrained in American society. Instead, couples are beginning to combine their last names, and in some cases, the husband even takes on the last name of his wife.

Taking On Wive’s Name Not as Masculine?

Sam Van Hallgren, 32, of Milwaukee was formerly Sam Hallgren until he wed in August and the couple chose to combine their last names. As a co-host of a movie review pod cast, Sam had to explain himself to his questioning listeners and co-host regarding the name change.

One listener asked what “sissy juice” the host was drinking while his co-host, Adam Kempenaar told him to “turn in his man card.”

Sam and his wife claim the children they hope to have in the future partially influenced their decision to combine names and they don’t let the criticism get to them. “It just made sense for us.”

Gender Friendly Bill Considered for California

This month, the California Legislature is considering a bill that would allow men to change their surnames upon marriage as effortlessly as women currently can.

The bill is co-sponsored by the ACLU of California as a follow-up to a federal lawsuit filed by the civil rights group in December on behalf of Michael Buday, a Los Angeles man who wants to take on his wife’s last name to show his affection for his father-in-law.

Only seven states currently allow men to alter their names without going through a long and costly process set out by the court for name changes, a process that women don’t have to endure.

Buday has accused the state of California of gender discrimination for forcing him into this more complex process simply because he wants to take on his wife’s last name.

(Source: USA Today)

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