Quebec’s Civil Code denies women’s basic freedom of choice

Quote: Originally Posted by Ariadne

In 1981, the Status of Women Action Committee (ball breaking feminists) fought hard to ensure that women were considered equal to men in the Charter of Rights. With that equality came the right of all women to be treated equal to men in all respects. Since men have always kept their own name, regardless of whether they were married, from that time on women kept their name regardless of whether they were married. No matter where one is in Canada, there is always a fee to change a name, whether that change is to a name similar to a spouse or otherwise. What is happening in Quebec is no different than the rest of Canada with, it appears, one exception. It seems that in Quebec there must be a good reason for a name change, and it seems that the reason of "patriarchy" is not a good one. Men would face the same difficulties in changing their last name for reasons of "matriarchy", so there is equality.

The term feminism was tossed around upthread with the implication that feminists should be all over this. They were all over it in 1981 to ensure that women retained the right to keep their last name. Feminists are not the ones that are upset about this right.

In fact, the real problem has nothing to do wth feminism or women. This is a point that needs to be addressed my men and women alike regarding the name changing rules.

Quote: Originally Posted by Niflmir

Indeed. I can understand the desire for some traditionalists to make it easy for them to change names with a marriage, but there are really good reasons why changing your name should be difficult. For men and women both. The idea that you have to apply for it, and really want it, seems like a good idea to me.

Quote: Originally Posted by TenPenny

Exactly, it should be more of an actual action, because it has major implications.

I've known people who have to get University diplomas re-issued in their new names, which makes no sense to me - if Jennifer Brown went to medical school, why can they issue a new diploma just because she subsequently changed her name to Jennifer Jones? Jennifer Jones never went to medical school.

I like the Quebec system - you are who you are for legal purposes.

Quote: Originally Posted by TenPenny

Exactly, it should be more of an actual action, because it has major implications.

I've known people who have to get University diplomas re-issued in their new names, which makes no sense to me - if Jennifer Brown went to medical school, why can they issue a new diploma just because she subsequently changed her name to Jennifer Jones? Jennifer Jones never went to medical school.

I like the Quebec system - you are who you are for legal purposes.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ariadne

I think that a number of women prefer to keep their own name because, as you point out, degrees are issued to a person with that specific name. Re-issuing degrees costs a fair bit of money, so first people pay to change their names, then they have to pay each institution to re-issue degrees. Seems to make a lot more sense to hang on to one's own name.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ariadne

In 1981, the Status of Women Action Committee (ball breaking feminists) fought hard to ensure that women were considered equal to men in the Charter of Rights. With that equality came the right of all women to be treated equal to men in all respects. Since men have always kept their own name, regardless of whether they were married, from that time on women kept their name regardless of whether they were married. No matter where one is in Canada, there is always a fee to change a name, whether that change is to a name similar to a spouse or otherwise. What is happening in Quebec is no different than the rest of Canada with, it appears, one exception. It seems that in Quebec there must be a good reason for a name change, and it seems that the reason of "patriarchy" is not a good one. Men would face the same difficulties in changing their last name for reasons of "matriarchy", so there is equality.
The term feminism was tossed around upthread with the implication that feminists should be all over this. They were all over it in 1981 to ensure that women retained the right to keep their last name. Feminists are not the ones that are upset about this right.
In fact, the real problem has nothing to do wth feminism or women. This is a point that needs to be addressed my men and women alike regarding the name changing rules.

Quote has been trimmed, See full post:

Quote: Originally Posted by TenPenny

Exactly, it should be more of an actual action, because it has major implications.

I've known people who have to get University diplomas re-issued in their new names, which makes no sense to me - if Jennifer Brown went to medical school, why can they issue a new diploma just because she subsequently changed her name to Jennifer Jones? Jennifer Jones never went to medical school.

I like the Quebec system - you are who you are for legal purposes.

Quote: Originally Posted by Madi

How would you like a legal system that forces you to take your spouse's family name "for legal purposes"?

Quote: Originally Posted by TenPenny

You have a strange grasp of the concepts involved.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ariadne

Have you ever responded to a thread and then realize that it's probably one of those school kids looking for feedback on an essay topic? That's what this felt like with the maki-feminist ****.

What if there was a school kid that couldn't be bothered to research the topic, or didn't know how, and instead searched online forums for opinons about the subject .. and then spewed out some argument or essay about women in Quebec being forced to keep their maiden names because it was easier when they get divorced. Imagine how ill informed the next generation would be.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ariadne

Have you ever responded to a thread and then realize that it's probably one of those school kids looking for feedback on an essay topic? That's what this felt like with the maki-feminist ****.

What if there was a school kid that couldn't be bothered to research the topic, or didn't know how, and instead searched online forums for opinons about the subject .. and then spewed out some argument or essay about women in Quebec being forced to keep their maiden names because it was easier when they get divorced. Imagine how ill informed the next generation would be.

Quote: Originally Posted by lone wolf

I'd say that "school kid" probably got a much broader-scoped response than the one one would get from writing a letter to her/his Member of Parliament.

Someone get Justin Trudeau on the phone.

Quebec is turning into Harperville.

Quote: Originally Posted by willqccan

Federalismville maybe? Not sure myself. For the name issue, if I would get married soon, I would suggest my future wife not to do this but would be somehow honored if she'd want to take my name. That's a personal/couple choice in my opinion.

Quote: Originally Posted by L Gilbert

Oooops. I had it backward:
Quebec newlywed furious she can't take her husband

"Women keep their birth name after marriage and continue to exercise their civil rights under that name, i.e. they must use their birth name in contracts, on credit cards, on their driver's licence, etc. They are free however to assume their husband's name socially."

This rule applies to all women domiciled in Québec, even if they married outside Québec or outside Canada, except women married before April 2, 1981 already using their husband's last name to exercise their civil rights."
Source: Justice.gouv.qc.ca

Weird. So legally they have to pay extra to adopt their husbands' names.