Shocking reaction to man who took his wife's surname
Last month, newlywed Grant Phillips, née Davis, wrote an article for 9Honey explaining why he decided to take his wife’s surname.
There were a number of reasons, from not having a strong connection to the family with whom he shared his birth surname to wanting to keep his wife’s surname going, as it would have died with her as one of two girls, with no cousins to carry on the name.
“I know a lot of people out there will see it as somewhat emasculating, like I’m somehow less of a man by taking my wife’s name,” Grant wrote.
“I have had people act shocked and confused when I’ve told them that I’m taking her name – one male colleague even challenged my decision saying it’s "not what blokes do".
“To me, this is more a reflection of society's views on masculinity.
“The tradition of a woman taking a man’s name was built along the premise that women become property of their husbands after their nuptials. There’s no legal or religious reason, it’s all about male dominance.
“Don’t get me wrong, I have no issue with woman who choose to take their husband’s name. My sister and my mother did it, not to mention 80 per cent of Australian women.
“But I do have an issue with the fact that when the situation is reversed, the husband’s masculinity is thrown into question.”
For Grant, the act was a mark of love, respect and commitment, but little did he know, his unusual decision would lead to an influx of death threats.
“Just one of the messages I’ve received because I took my wife’s surname,” Grant captioned this horrible message he received on Facebook.
One online commenter even told Grant to “go kill yourself”, while another said they “hope your wife can’t have kids, that’ll be God’s way of punishing you.”
However, others have thrown their support behind the couple, with one person saying, “This makes you more of a man than most... honouring your wife this way indicates what a true bloke you are! I reckon you’ve started a trend.”
Another wrote, “Wanted to say respect to you for doing what you are doing for your lovely wife. Your decision does not affect the lives of others, and their ignorance goes to show what a dark hole they're living in.”
Tell us in the comments below, do you think it should be more acceptable for men to take their wife’s surname?
Image credit: Grant Phillips/Instagram.