What's in a name

For the past 100 years, women have long been expected that they assume their husband’s surname after getting married. In what is considered a rite of passage so to speak, some women take pride in changing their last name to become the new Mrs. So and so. Never mind the hassle of having to change all of your personal records ranging from your passport to social security card because it’s all part of the process. Just how many percent of newly wed women change their name? I’m assuming that at least more than 50% do change their name. While another percentage choose the concatenated method by adding a dash. For instance, Miss Smith becomes Mrs. Smith-Wesson. There are also others who merge their last names with their husband’s – creating a new last name. For example, Mr. Wesson and Ms. Smith become Mr. And Mrs. Smesson. What I find even more intriguing is the notion that some women are now opting out of the whole process. Is it a whole new women’s lib movement or just a pragmatic move on their part? Maybe it’s a combination of both? I believe it’s the latter!