Surnames for women : a decision-making guide /

Kupper had women who had married but used surnames other than those of their husbands fill out questionnaires asking about their experiences with using nontraditional surnames. This select sample was composed of 362 women (and 70 husbands) and was mostly urban/suburban and well educated. Chapters are devoted to various aspects of the surname choice. These include identity, family ties, feminism, pragmatism, feelings, opinions of others, and the law with regard to women and to children. Drawing from the responses, Kupper presents illustrative quotes from and interpretations of the reactions of women who have had difficulties and successes in using the surname they wish. Among the verbatim comments, some are serious; some, amusing. One of the amusing ones points out that when the husband and wife have separate surnames, they are likely to get two batches of junk mail! The chapters on law will be especially useful for women contemplating keeping their birth names or planning to change their surnames or those of their children. Strongly recommended for the women's issues and social sciences areas. All levels. -E. D. Lawson, SUNY College at Fredonia

Based in part on responses from over 300 questionnaires, Surnames for Women encompasses historical, cultural, and legal information. The material is not scholarly, nor is the survey scientific, but they aren't meant to be. Rather the author, an independent management consultant, emphasizes the choices open to women and the implications these choices may engender. The essence of Kupper's work is that a name can be both a personal and political statement, indicative of one's autonomy, identity, and lineage. An informative and engaging account, recommended for public libraries.-- Frada L. Mozenter, Univ. of North Carolina at Charlotte Lib. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.