CULTURE | SOCIETY | EQUALITY
Japan, Surnames and Women’s Careers
Got married — ditched your career?
I got married last year. Being born in the Baltics means that when a woman marries, she takes the surname of her husband. It’s common practice and society pushes you to do so. If you have an incredible career, it’s acceptable to use a double surname. But not changing your name is out of the question. Legally it’s acceptable, though. But socially? Absolutely not.
Life was harsh last year. Whilst maintaining my demanding full-time job, I completed an intense MBA. My husband had a massive career boost. As a result, we had to move. No, not cities — entire countries. From London, UK to the unknown Midwest in the States.
Throughout the zombified packing and visa extravaganzas I simply didn’t have the time to change — or adjust — my surname. Does it even matter?.. But then I had a call with my father and he told me off. No doubt, society thinks it matters.
Society there thinks it matters. Lucky for me, I’m here and no one would even bat an eyelid. But then it got me thinking — so many women are struggling because of this. A surname. Such a simple thing, but so incredibly powerful.
A surname can make us or break us.
