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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to think this isn't the point of marriage?

165 replies

Objection · 25/05/2014 17:25

OH found out today that when/if we got married, I would want to keep my surname.
I like my surname, its unusual and, unlike many people, I chose it.
I became estranged from my father several years ago and changed my name from his to my mother's maiden name. I'm close to that side of the family and it helped me feel even more connected to them.
I also have very mild feminist views on the matter which, tbh, are not nearly as much as an influence, but they are there.
OH's name is fine. I have no opinion on it, its just a surname. Only he, his mother and his father have it.
I have no issue with any children taking his family name though I'd prefer they had mine but personally would rather be MrsMe, rather than MrsOH.

I asks OH jokingly today "so when are you going to marry me?" (he's always been really pro-marriage and its something he wanted to do.
And he replied "well, there's no point getting married now, is there?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well there's no point if you're not going to take my name."

I tried to explain the whole life-long commitment, declaration of love in front of friends and family not to mention the legal benefits and he just shrugged it off. He's very offended that I want to keep my name. (We were together when I "broke up" with my Dad).

AIBU to think that names aren't the point of marriage and also to feel quite offended?

OP posts:
Noappointmentnecessary · 26/05/2014 22:31

I agree with chocolatemademefat

Noappointmentnecessary · 26/05/2014 22:35

Not at all sqoosh. I don't need to justify myself to you, but I can tell you I have been with my husband for 16 years - married for 4 and couldn't be happier. We are Mr and Mrs with the same surname. It's amazing,. I think some of you need to get of your feminist high horse and just go with the flow. What are you scared off? Losing your independence? Omg and your surname - pleeeeaaaasssseeee!!!

Noappointmentnecessary · 26/05/2014 22:35

Like it's the friggin end of the world!!!!

CrotchMaven · 26/05/2014 22:40

Did your husband take your surname, noappointment?

Noappointmentnecessary · 26/05/2014 22:44

No it never even came up. We don't argue about stupid things like that. It was natural for me to take his. I'm enjoying this discussion. I can't believe some of the nonsense I read on here. I thought we discussed happy thing like pregnancy / cute babies and fluffy clouds?? Surely the person she should be discussing this with is her oh not us???

squoosh · 26/05/2014 22:44

Dearie me all those frantic exclamation marks tell me you know you're talking horse shit. Why are you so scared of women who are fond of their birth name and intend to keep it?

She doesn't want to change her name. Why can't you get your head around that?

Igggi · 26/05/2014 22:47

Noappointment it is odd you are taking such a traditionalist approach to marriage, given you were in an unmarried relationship for over ten years!

Noappointmentnecessary · 26/05/2014 22:49

She can keep it - who is saying anything about that? She posted a comment asking for our opinions. I gave it to her. If your afraid of that then don't do it! And this is for you sqoosh !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Enjoy x

Noappointmentnecessary · 26/05/2014 22:51

Iggi we got together very young. I don't think my mum would have been impressed with us getting married at 16!!

XiCi · 26/05/2014 22:57

Hahaha noappointment. You're posts really made me laugh - you are taking the piss right?

I can't believe any woman would change their name - why why why? I will just never comprehend it.

It's pathetic and laughable to think that somehow you are a closer family unit because you have taken your partners name.

I didn't change my name and my dh had no issue with it but then again he is not such a pathetic human being that he would think a name was a threat to his manhood

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 26/05/2014 23:00

Noappointment

I got married to share a public commitment with my DH. That was my beautiful gesture. And 14 years later I still haven't changed my name nor has DH ever suggested I do so (it's not expected in his culture).

It's an Anglo Saxon concept - he's not Anglo Saxon and I don't like the origin of the concept of women changing his name.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 26/05/2014 23:02

to his name

CrotchMaven · 26/05/2014 23:02

What's natural about taking a man's surname? Do you mean traditional?

SqutterNutBaush · 26/05/2014 23:02

No appointment, my DP and I have been together since we were 14 (13 years) and are getting married in September I don't see why either of us should have to change names to prove our commitment.

It makes absolutely no difference to us so why should it affect you?

If having the Same name is the high point of your relationship you have issues!

Its got nothing to do with feminism here and everything to do with his name being horrendous with my forename, that is my reasoning and others will be different but one think remains the same. It has absolutely piss all to do with you!!

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 26/05/2014 23:05

No appointment

What beautiful gesture did your DH make in return? Change his name to yours?

Noappointmentnecessary · 26/05/2014 23:05

It's official, I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight. All this fuss over your oh surname. What is a woman to do?

Noappointmentnecessary · 26/05/2014 23:06

I must say, I never thought I could have so much fun on a website. Thank you for keeping me amused x

CrotchMaven · 26/05/2014 23:06

It's not about his surname. It's about hers.

SqutterNutBaush · 26/05/2014 23:07

Oh and as for the fact that we should be discussing pregnancy/babies/fluffy clouds (wtaf?) funnily enough us women are allowed to go off topic occasionally and speak about matters other than our reproductive duties.

Noappointmentnecessary · 26/05/2014 23:07

Like I said I don't need to justify my marriage to anyone it is simply perfect x

SqutterNutBaush · 26/05/2014 23:09

Of course it is...

Tambaboy · 26/05/2014 23:10

I didn't change my name, I knew DH was a little disappointed but he's never said anything. The main reason is because i come from a country where you don't actually take your husbands name. I cannot legally change my name but I wouldn't even if I could as taking some else's name would feel very alien to me.

Objection · 26/05/2014 23:12

Noappointmentnecessary - having had a quick scan through your previous posts on MN it's clear that no one is going to make you see sense.
I do ask that you don't make sweeping judgement of others relationships though - not that you'll listen.

OP posts:
Noappointmentnecessary · 26/05/2014 23:21

Your opinions are your opinions, however, god bless all your daddies, because without them, you wouldn't have got your lovely surnames. (Of course, only the mothers who chose to change theirs) x

squoosh · 26/05/2014 23:24

Not all women have inherited their surnames from their father. Even if they have so what? Where did your husband get his name?