Marriage survey: Most say wife should change name

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August 17, 2009

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Associated Press Mon Aug 17, 2009, 01:00 PM EDT

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana University researchers say most Americans think a woman should take her husband's last name after getting married.

The national survey conducted in part by IU researchers showed 71 percent of people thought a wife should change her name, while 29 percent disagreed.

IU sociology professor Brian Powell says families are becoming more equal in many ways but that there is no indication of that when it comes to names.

Those who said women should change their names often said it makes more sense from a family and societal point of view to have just one family name. Those who opposed changing names often focused on the importance of a woman's independent identity.

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