Actress Kemi Lala Akindoju has ignited a thought-provoking dialogue surrounding marriage customs, specifically the practice of women taking on their husband’s surname, a topic she recently shared on social media.
Akindoju voiced her worries regarding the automatic presumption that children will take on their father’s surname and place of origin. She emphasized the significant effects of childbirth on women and raised questions about the equity of their reduced influence in naming decisions.
Additionally, she underscored the contradiction with biblical principles that encourage a man to unite with his wife, challenging cultural norms that prioritize male identity in the institution of marriage.
While stating that “Scripture actually says the man cleaves to the woman (but what do i know). Most importantly a woman should be allowed to choose. Whether she wants to change her name or not or compound it,”
Akindoju articulated her concerns, highlighting the inequitable societal expectations placed on women to alter their identities upon marriage. She further questions that men seldom face similar pressures to change their names or personal identities.
See the screenshots below.
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