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Understanding Tradition: Marital Name Change in Britain and Norway

Author

Listed:
  • Simon Duncan

    (University of Bradford, UK)

  • Anne Lise Ellingsæter

    (University of Oslo, Norway)

  • Julia Carter

    (University of the West of England, UK)

Abstract

Marital surname change is a striking example of the survival of tradition. A practice emerging from patriarchal history has become embedded in an age of detraditionalisation and women’s emancipation. Is the tradition of women’s marital name change just some sort of inertia or drag, which will slowly disappear as modernity progresses, or does this tradition fulfil more contemporary roles? Are women and men just dupes to tradition, or alternatively do they use tradition to further their aims? We examine how different approaches – individualisation theory, new institutionalism, and bricolage – might tackle these questions. This examination is set within a comparative analysis of marital surname change in Britain and Norway, using small qualitative samples. We find that while individualisation and new institutionalism offer partial explanations, bricolage offers a more adaptable viewpoint.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Duncan & Anne Lise Ellingsæter & Julia Carter, 2020. "Understanding Tradition: Marital Name Change in Britain and Norway," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 25(3), pages 438-455, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socres:v:25:y:2020:i:3:p:438-455
    DOI: 10.1177/1360780419892637
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Simon Duncan, 2011. "Personal Life, Pragmatism and Bricolage," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 16(4), pages 129-140, December.
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