'Lewis Hamilton taking his mum's maiden name shows blokes are finally catching up'
By Shelly Horton|
Finally, blokes are catching up with the lack of reasoning behind a woman surrendering her family name when she gets married.
British F1 superstar Lewis Hamilton has announced he is changing his name to include his mother's maiden name because he doesn't "really fully understand the whole idea that when people get married, the woman loses her name".
The seven-time world champion said he intends to use his mother Carmen's maiden name, Larbalestier, as his new middle name so her surname can live on with him. (Watch above.)
I think that is a beautiful gesture.
READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth hosts afternoon tea at Windsor Castle
READ MORE: Author's frank response to question at Sydney event: 'Keeping a noose on our necks'
Look, I have no beef with women who want the same name as their husband, but I do ask the question "why?"
I understand the best thing about feminism is choice, and it's great that women can choose. I'd just like the reasoning explained to me.
Giving away my name feels like giving away my identity and equality in the relationship.
The argument for giving up this most essential marker of identity for your husband's is often for family unity, so that all members have the same name กช but this doesn't make sense to me either.
Surely these days, kids can cope with different last names. It's not like they don't know who their mum is. They have different first names and they seem to be fine with that.
With the divorce rate so high, who knows how many family names might live in one household?
Kids are the ones who are choosing pronouns and educating their parents in that area. I don't think in 2022 it would be shocking to them if their parents didn't have the same name. Give kids some credit.
Also, how come it is always women changing their names and not men?
I've worked hard in my career. I'm known by my name. To me, it would be like Coke changing their name to Rapunzel just because they love someone. I've been married twice, so I feel like changing my surname twice would have diluted my identity considerably.
A former boss of mine presented an argument for journalists to keep their maiden name throughout their careers.
She was an industrial relations reporter in the UK. She got married. Moved jobs. Moved cities. But because she kept her maiden name, a whistle-blower in a massive asbestos case tracked her down. He said she was the only one he trusted, and if he hadn't been able to find her, he would have taken the secrets to the grave. His story changed laws and lives.
Outside of journalism, what if you are made a named partner in a law firm and then got married and changed your name? Would the firm have to pulp their letterhead and business cards?
For a daily dose of 9Honey,?subscribe to our newsletter here
I know for most it's not a work issue, but to me it helps illustrate the argument.
I love my husband's last name, Robinson, but it doesn't mean I want to adopt it formally.
"Here's to you, Mrs Robinson." "Mrs Robinson, you're trying to seduce me, aren't you?"
If I changed my name, I'd be acting out this scene from The Graduate way too often.
I'm all for choice. But make sure that choice is well thought through, rather than following old-fashioned ideas or maintaining the status quo.
