Men who should consider taking their wives surname: A comprehensive guide
So in the past few weeks we learnt that Zoe Saldana's husband Marco Perego decided to adopt his wife's surname, throwing out tradition of thousands of years. It has sparked a debates on TV and radio shows everywhere. According to Marco Saldana, he explains that women take their husbands surname everyday and it doesn't make the news. When Zoe tried to talk him out of it he added 'I don’t give a shhheeeetttt!!' Why not? What are you so afraid of?'. Really what are we so afraid of breaking tradition? What the press don't talk about so much is that Zoe also took Marco's surname, she is now Zoe Perego and he is Marco Saldana. Does that now sound better to you guys?
I started thinking about it, talking to guys about it. Most of them dismissed the idea of taking their wife's surname without knowing exactly why. Some explained that it is emasculating, others explained that they will be mocked by their friends while the Naija men I know gave me the dirtiest of looks before adding a resounding
I am still yet to hear a good reason from the lads why this is such a taboo.
Some very famous people now hyphenate their surnames which kind of brings this whole tradition to the 21st century.
Jay-z famously changed his name to Sean Knowles-Carter after he and Bey tied the knot. Well who wouldn't, if I got married to Beyoncé everyone in my nuclear and extended family will add Beyoncé to all their legal documents by faya and by force, you best beh-lee that.
The Jolie-Pitts are also leading the way, combining their surnames after marriage. Why are more people not taking this step at least. But wait oh, Blue-Ivy knowles-Carter gets married to Pax Jolie-Pitt she will now become Blue-Ivy Knowles-Carter-Jolie-Pitt? (Are we seeing complications in this already?).
Anyways, I heard a few men on radio giving the reasons why they have gone down that route of taking their wife's surname. The most common one was that they didn't like their surname in the first place. When your surname is Ramsbottom or Hiscox or Pratt then change of name is almost expected of you, why not to your wife's soft name like Cottage or Humphreys. Other men unselfishly decided to take their wife's surname on because she is from a house of daughters and someone needs to continue with the name. Warning to all reading, THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN IN AFRICA, NOT NOW, NOT EVER. (Forever ever? Forever ever!)
So I continued thinking (impressive isn't it? ) of very exceptional cases in which it will be in a man best interest to take your wife's surname.
1. Your wife's name is Dangote or Gates or Murdoch. Don't think twice, change that surname.
2. If you are above 25 years of age and you have a Mohawk , you expect someone to take your surname? Please leave that your surname on the table and walk the other way.
3. If you have cornrows, you want to marry? Please just wear a pinafore, knee high socks and cortina, you are a primary school girl, surrender your surname immediately
4. You play x-box from morning to night while your wife goes to work, surname transplant for your ass.
5. You sag your jeans and wear your hat backwards. Need I say more?
I personally believe hyphenating surnames is a good and progressive way to an equal union. Let's start there and maybe evolve in the future. I am interested in hearing what men have to say about this. Please comment below and please don't throw shoes at me, I have odeshi.