WOMEN CHANGING NAMES AFTER MARRIAGE

ON MY MIND: WOMEN CHANGING NAMES AFTER MARRIAGE DIDN'T COME WITH CHRISTIANITY.
 BY
REV. FR. ERNEST MAKATA

I was just arguing with someone that Christianity never requested any married woman to change to her husband's name and he was aghast I could say such things. But it's true! Women changing their last names(Surnames) to that of their husband's came with colonialism and not Christianity. It is the BRITISH CULTURE.

IT IS  NOT EVEN AN IGBO CULTURE FOR WOMEN TO CHANGE THEIR LAST NAMES AFTER MARRIAGE.

In fact, women who wedded in the 70s and even 80s in Nigeria not only lost their maiden surnames but also lost their own first names too, when called together with their husband's in social functions. Thus, couples then were called Mr and Mrs Samuel Makata, using my parents for example. When the woman goes out on a function, she is addressed again as Mrs Samuel Makata, taking my mother for example.

Now, if  you doubt my position, those who are married should go and check the marriage documents issued by the Church at their wedding and see if the woman's surname was ever changed.

I am not against women changing their maiden names to that of the man. No! You can use that and it seems more suitable following popular practice in this case. But knowledge is power. Let us not act out of ignorance or say that the Church says what it didn't say.

Changing maiden names by women after marriage MAY mean submission to the authority of the husband. So, it is encouraged. Even though we know it is not a guarantee of a submissive and obedient married women in the long run.

In many European countries, just like in traditional Igbo culture, happily married women retain their maiden names.

It's good you know this. You can disagree with me with facts anyway. It's an open space.

Here are some comments.

Mathew Ezea said "In Germany for instance,  a woman is asked before church wedding which surname she wishes to bear.  In other words, she is free to retain hers or take up her husband's. This too corroborates your submission that it is not Christianity that brought the culture of women changing their names to those of their husbands"

Ezeugwu Okike said "You are right. Perfectly. I for sure know that it was not the Igbo tradition"

I remember a couple of months back, when we discussed this with Mac Ugo. I am still of the opinion that women retain their median name while adding to it their husband's.

In Mazi Ikechukwu Mamah words "My wife even through wanted to be Oluchi Mamah, still remains Oluchi Ndukwe-Mamah, I insisted".

According to Ijeoma Jovita "In support of your position, my two grand mothers didn't change their surnames. Though women are trying to revert it. By elongation"

Chinwendu Oguoma Fidel commented thus "Thanks Duf, indeed  knowledge is power, l like it when lam addressed by my maiden name".


Chimnonso Paul Ochada said "It is a common practice in Nigeria which I thought  was an article of faith until now. In fact, one needs legal permission to do that in some parts of Italy. According to them, it brings confusion to their records".

In as much as many women do not like this change of maiden name after marriage, Some women like it so that people will know they are already married so they could command that respect  given to married women.


We need to hear your own Opinion.
Feel free to comment.

Live right
Love right
Marry right