There are a lot of big decisions you need to make when you are planning on getting married to your partner. Same-sex couples were only granted the right to marry a few years ago, which means there are many customs and practices that don’t quite fit. Even though you and your partner might already be aware of the obvious differences between heterosexual and same-sex couples, there are a couple of obstacles you might not have anticipated. For example, a wedding would traditionally lead to a bride taking on the name of her new husband.
This is a practice that dates back to more archaic beliefs about women being property, and it is easy to see why couples in all walks of life are not fans of this. Straight couples have been adopting a new attitude with names. Many women have found it is much more practical to keep their maiden names rather than assume a new name due to the pressures of an outdated society. For same-sex couples, there is something of a blank slate to work with. Think about these points and see if you can figure out a solid decision.
Everything Remains the Same
The most common option for same-sex partners right now is to not allow any changes to happen. Couples have discovered it doesn’t seem to make sense to change names when the traditional mentality of the “husband” and “wife” is not present. While this seems to work in some ways, there are many who find that they are missing out by not sharing a name with their partners. Even though taking the name of a spouse can seem outdated, there is a bit of symbolism present in the gesture that cannot be denied.
Same-sex couples were not allowed to be married in a legal sense for quite a bit of time. This means many couples want to be sure that they can fully and truly showcase their love to the world now that they have the right. If you know that you are someone who wants to take on the name of your partner, sit down and have a talk with your significant other about the details. Hammering out the specifics can be a great way to see where both of you fall on this issue.
Everyone Gets the Same
All relationships should be about equality. Whether a couple consists of a man and a woman, two men, two women, or any other combination, it is important everyone involved in the relationship has an equal say. This mentality has led many same-sex couples and even a number of straight couples to try something different. Instead of allowing one part of the couple to take on a new name, couples are seeking new horizons with hyphenation. A woman making the decision to hyphenate her name after a union is nothing new, of course, but there’s more to this tactic.
Having both parties hyphenate their names can make for a lovely way to express devotion and equality. Hyphenating opens up a lot of potential for the way names can be arranged, as well. Speak with your partner about how you’d like to go about this process and see if it is a solid choice for your needs.
Name Game
Names are funny. While the monikers worn throughout life might not have a big impact on many aspects of your existence, they can still carry weight in strange ways. When you and your partner are making the decision to marry, you will want to think over what you plan on doing with your names after the ceremony. Come up with a plan that works for both of you and get ready for the joys that are to follow on your path toward matrimonial bliss.
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