「選択的（注1）夫婦別姓」についての議論が盛んです。「選択的夫婦別姓」の法案によると婚姻の際に同姓か別姓かを選び、決定後は変更できません。また別姓夫婦の子供の姓はどちらかに統一します。また改正前に結婚した夫婦も、施行後1年以内なら別姓に変更できるというものです。反対している人たちはこの法案が通ったらあたかも全ての夫婦が結婚時に別姓を選ぶかのように問題視しています。結局はほとんどの夫婦が①今までと違わない選択をするだろうから、そんなに大騒ぎすることではないと思います。 現在日本では98％の夫婦が夫の姓を名乗っています。子供の数が少なくなったこともあって、長男長女の結婚や一人っ子同士の結婚の場合、家が絶えてしまうのは困ると考えて結婚に反対する親が多いです。家を残さなければならないという考え方にも問題がありますが、まだ家を守るという考えの人のほうが多いようです。 私の姪は結婚によって夫の姓を名乗りましたが、独身時代に音楽家として名前が知られていたので、結婚後も音楽活動の時は旧姓を使っています。もし夫婦別姓が認められていたら迷わず別姓を選んだことでしょう。近年働く女性が4割を占めるようになり、重要な地位につく女性もいますから、姓が変わると不利益を被ると考えて夫婦別姓を望むカップルが出てきました。現在別姓のまま事実婚を続けている人たちがかなりの数に上っているそうです。彼ら2人だけの場合はいいですが、子供が生まれると子供の立場が複雑になるので、別姓を認める法律を早く作ってもらいたいと言っています。 別姓に反対している人たちは、まず家族の一体化や絆が壊れると言っています。また親と違う姓のために子供がいじめられる可能性があるとか、離婚が増えるとか、家族や子供に影響があると主張しています。賛成の人はかえって絆が強くなるとか、別姓で起こる不都合は同姓でも起こり得ると主張しています。 この法律についてのある新聞社の世論調査では賛成が49％、反対が43％だったそうです。また30～40代の女性に限ってみると約70％が賛成だそうです。ここには子供の意見がありません。 別の調査では子供の60％が別姓は嫌だと考えているそうです。「選択的夫婦別姓」は選択肢が増えるという点で賛成ですが、実際には別姓は様々な問題を引き起こすこともあると思われます。
There is a lively debate regarding 'optional (Note 1) separate surnames for married couples.' According to the bill on 'optional separate surnames for married couples,' couples choose whether to have the same or different surnames at the time of marriage, and this decision cannot be changed afterward. Additionally, the surname of children from couples with different surnames will be unified to one of the parents' surnames. Furthermore, couples who married before the amendment can change to separate surnames within one year after the law takes effect. Opponents are concerned that if this bill passes, it will be perceived as if all couples will choose separate surnames upon marriage.
In the end, most couples will make choices that are no different from before, so I don't think it's worth making such a fuss. Currently, 98% of couples in Japan take the husband's surname. With the declining number of children, many parents oppose marriage, particularly when the eldest son or daughter gets married or when two only children marry each other, fearing that the family line will be cut off. While the notion that one must preserve the family line is also problematic, it seems that more people still hold the view that the family must be protected.
My niece took her husband's surname upon marriage, but since she had become known by her maiden name as a musician while single, she continues to use her maiden name for her musical activities even after marriage. If separate surnames for married couples had been recognized, she would have chosen separate surnames without hesitation. In recent years, with women making up 40% of the workforce and an increasing number of women holding important positions, couples who hope for separate surnames have emerged, believing that a change in surname would be a disadvantage.
It is said that a considerable number of people are currently continuing their de facto marriages while retaining their separate surnames. While this may be fine for just the two of them, the birth of a child complicates the child's status, so they are calling for the early enactment of a law recognizing separate surnames. Opponents of separate surnames first argue that it will destroy family unity and bonds. They also claim that children may be bullied for having a different surname from their parents, that divorce rates will increase, and that it will negatively impact families and children.
Proponents argue that family bonds will actually become stronger and that the inconveniences arising from different surnames can also occur even when family members share the same surname. According to a public opinion poll by a newspaper on this law, 49% were in favor and 43% were against it. Moreover, when limited to women in their 30s and 40s, approximately 70% were in favor. Children's opinions are not included here. Another survey suggests that 60% of children do not like having different surnames.
I support 'optional separate surnames' for married couples as it increases the options, but in practice, separate surnames can also lead to various issues.
