Abstract
This research explores the narratives women provide for their postdivorce surname decisions. Data are drawn from in-depth interviews with 29 divorced women. Respondents were categorized as keepers (women who kept their married names after divorce) and changers (women who changed their names after divorce). Keepers' narratives referenced a desire to minimize disruption, such as keeping the name for their children's sake or resisting the bureaucratic hassle of making the change. Changers' narratives included a motivation to establish their autonomy, such as a desire to reconnect with one's family of origin or use a name that reflected who they felt they were. The article concludes with a discussion of how name-change narratives can be viewed as accounts for the divorce itself, as well as how the two categories reflect a persistent tension between women defining themselves and being defined by others.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
