14 August 2023 , 12:55
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When babies are born, most parents will give their baby the father's surname or the couple's married name, if it's different. It's something that's commonly assumed and done as a tradition. Sometimes parents will double barrel both the parents' names, but most of the time it's still considered common to take the dad's name.
A lawyer has caused quite a stir online after raising the issue that babies should always take their mother's family name instead. Causing a controversy, Dr Charlotte Proudman went viral on Twitter for her message to expecting mothers, as they will be the ones responsible for the child.
The 33-year-old solicitor from London told women that their baby deserves their family name over the father's family name. She wrote in her tweet: "A message to pregnant women — please give the baby your surname. You carried a baby for nine months, gave birth, and will be responsible for that child for the rest of your life."
"When you're registering the baby ask yourself: why is the father's surname more important than yours?" She went on to add, and the tweet has been seen by over 62,000 people, with thousands of passionate comments, as one user replied: "Counter-argument: why is the baby's maternal grandfather's surname more important than the baby's father's?"
Hitting back at Charlotte's claims, one woman commented: "My maiden name is my father's name, his father's and his father's before him. One I'm proud of. Why are you so against those of us that are proud of that?" and another added: "The point is to make the father feel responsible for the child."
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But some agreed with her statement, as one user suggested: "I get your point. Way too many women get their husband's surname and after a divorce, they are stuck with them. Women need to make this decision carefully," whilst another said: "'I did this! If my babies' dad and I get married we'll reassess, but I figured I was more likely to take them abroad alone, and his surname shouldn’t be the default."
Charlotte later backed up her thoughts in another tweet as she added: "A personal note to expectant mothers: name the baby after you. In the UK, almost 90% of straight married women take their husband's surname & then give the baby the father's name - eroding their identity. Name the child after the mother."