Role Reboot

Why Does It Bother You That I’m Hyphenating My Son’s Last Name?

While I always knew the politics of baby naming was a volatile sport, I didn’t fully understand how true that was until we shared our naming decisions with others. When I found out about my pregnancy in November—three months into what I like to call “the incubation”—my partner and I were firm on two things: […]

On Choosing My Own Last Name

At 18, I added my mother’s last name to my signature. Is it worth it to me to explain to strangers where my names come from, and to suffer through bureaucratic confusion in order to feel complete when I see my name? Yes. In The Hairpin this week, Molly Caro May hopes for a “pro-choice situation for last […]