On Monday, an interview with InStyle went live in which Zoe Saldana revealed her husband Marco Perego took her last name, and it became a buzz-worthy story, because a man taking his wife's surname isn't as common or "normal" as one might think. Actually, if you read the interview, it almost seems that Saldana was as shocked as others that her husband wanted to be called "Marco Saldana." She told the magazine, "If you use my name, you’re going to be emasculated by your community of artists, by your Latin community of men, by the world.” On Tuesday, the actress took to Facebook, where she explained that while it might be surprising, Perego using her surname isn't that big of a deal and further proved that she and her hubby are one powerful, motivational, and feminist couple.
In what is a quite lengthy and must-read post, Saldana revealed not only did she also take his last name, but that she couldn't believe all of the hype surrounding her husband and his new last name. She wrote on Facebook, "Why is it so surprising, shocking- eventful that a man would take his wife's surname? Women have never been asked if its ok for them to give up their names — why doesn’t that make the news? [sic]"
Saldana hopes one day both women and men will consider a man taking his wife's name as traditional and normal, too. Also, it's important for her to let others know that a man taking a woman's last name doesn't make him less masculine. Actually, it's a way to "redefine masculinity" and become even more of a man. The Guardians of the Galaxy star wrote in her post, "Fathers, sons, brothers, men everywhere: Your legacy will not perish if you take your partner's surname, or she keeps hers." She added, "Men, you will not cease to exist by taking your partner’s surname. On the contrary — you’ll be remembered as a man who stood by change. I know our sons will respect and admire their father more because their father lead by example."
How amazing and inspiring is that? It's people like Saldana and Perego who are going to change this world for the better. It might seem silly or unimportant to some to discuss a couple taking each other's last names, but, like Saldana said, her comment garnered so much talk because it is still uncommon and frowned upon by some. It shouldn't be "news" for a woman to keep her last name and for a man to take a woman's surname, but rather seen as a step in the right direction, especially when it comes to gender equality.
Let's take pointers from both Saldana and Perego and follow in their footsteps of creating "a new path moving forward," all while helping men and women "to think outside of the box [and] remove the box altogether."
Images: Getty Images
