Why are there so many titles for women but only one for men?

[THERhubarb]

Why do women need to have their marital status or otherwise conveyed in a title such as Miss, Ms or Mrs whilst men, no matter whether they are with someone or not, will always be Mr?

I've always hated titles and it still feels weird to be addressed as Mrs. I have a name, it's part of my identity and I would much rather my name be used than an old-fashioned title which tells the person whether I am married, single or otherwise.

I find it weird that people can take offence at their first names being used but not be bothered by a title that can tell others exactly what their marital status is. What business is it of theirs? How come men get away with having a non-descript title whilst we have to let the world know our marital status?

Am I the only one who hates having a title and who steadfastly refuses to use it?

[OneLittleToddleTerror]

I kept my surname because I like it. I don't see why I need to change who I'm called because I'm married.

[TheDoctrineOfSciAndNatureClub]

Exotic, the title doesn't really matter - I guess I'm trying to find out what your default is if you need a title for a woman but don't know it for some reason. If "Dear Mary Smith" would be your default, fair enough.

[PrincessFiorimonde]

When I send a birthday/Christmas card, I just address the envelope without any title, e.g. Jane Smith, John Smith. Most people do this to me too (even elderly aunts).

But if anyone official insists I should have a title, I go for Ms. And have done so for the last 35 years, during which time I've been single, married, single again, living with a partner.

On the phone, people are sometimes surprised when I opt for Ms rather than the automatically proffered Miss or Mrs. Funnily enough, I think they are more surprised about 'Ms' these days than they were 20-30 years ago.

I've never assumed that Ms means a person's divorced, by the way. And I've certainly never seen it as an MN thing.

[HazleNutt]

Theoretically yes OneLittle. There's nothing stopping me calling myself Mrs Myname if I so wish though.

[exoticfruits]

It is my default- if they don't specify a title why give them one? If they specify then use it.