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One in three brides keep maiden name – study

Another interesting challenge for family research.

London – Many a young girl has filled up an old notebook or a spare scrap of paper trying out a different name for size.

But it seems that by the time they grow up, they have rather gone off the idea – with a study claiming that one in three new brides now chooses not to take her husband’s surname.

The proportion of women who opt to hold on to their maiden name is highest among those in their 20s.

Just 62 percent of that age group choose to use their husband’s family name, the research suggests.

For those in their 30s, the number rises to 74 percent and for women in their 60s it stands at 88 percent.

The survey was carried out by Facebook, which has 33 million UK users.

It analysed the names of women on the social media site who said they were married – and compared them to their husbands’ profiles.

Rachel Thwaites, from the University of York, said the statistics showed younger women were increasingly identifying themselves as feminists.

“The discussion has opened up slightly, but the norm of name changing is still prevalent and there remains cultural and social pressure on women to change names,” she said.

“Women who resist this pressure are often doing so as a feminist decision or a move for equality in their relationship.”

And Angela McRobbie, professor of communications at Goldsmiths, University of London, said: “The generation now in their 30s were too easily swayed by the complex backlash against feminism, but we are now seeing a kind of uprising among younger women.”

Many newlyweds deal with the dilemma by using their maiden name in the workplace and their married name in their personal lives.

Zara Phillips, who married rugby player Mike Tindall in 2011, still uses her maiden name when she competes.

Earlier this year singer Beyonce sparked outrage among feminists when she announced that the name of her new tour would be The Mrs Carter Show – her married name. – Daily Mail

Source: OIL Web Site  http://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/marriage/one-in-three-brides-keep-maiden-name-study-1.1547574#.UeivSG08nko

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