The current practice of using the father’s surname is “discriminatory and harmful to the identity” of the child, the court said in a statement, according to Reuters. The court ruled that children should be given the surnames of both parents — in whatever order the parents decide — unless the parents agree to use only one. The Italian government will have to create and pass new legislation to implement the court ruling, Reuters reports. In the US, each state has its own rules about the names on a birth certificate. Many states require two names – a first name and a last name – and some states require that when parents are married at the time their child is born, the father’s surname be used, according to usbirthcertificates.com, which collects information about birth of states certificate laws. In Mississippi, the child automatically takes the father’s surname when the parents are married, but a different name may be required. Other states, meanwhile, allow the child to take the mother’s maiden name if both parents agree, according to usbirthcertificates.com. Italy’s Minister for Family and Equal Opportunities Elena Bonetti wrote about the legislation on Facebook, saying the government would fully support the court ruling. “Today we are reversing the picture: we recognize equal dignity and equal responsibility, even parental, in both parents,” Bonetti wrote. “There is a clear and solid indication, which confirms that the choice of our Constitution is the choice of a democracy that can be said to be achieved only in view of the full scope of gender equality.” Italian MP Cecilia D’Elia wrote on Twitter about the decision, saying that mothers will be given the same “dignity as the father, a sign of culture”.

Caitlin O’Cain

Caitlin O’Kane is a digital content producer covering CBS News and The Uplift.

title: “Italian Court Rules Newborns Should Not Be Given Their Father S Surname Automatically Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-24” author: “Mae Stohlton”

The current practice of using the father’s surname is “discriminatory and harmful to the identity” of the child, the court said in a statement, according to Reuters. The court ruled that children should be given the surnames of both parents — in whatever order the parents decide — unless the parents agree to use only one. The Italian government will have to create and pass new legislation to implement the court ruling, Reuters reports. In the US, each state has its own rules about the names on a birth certificate. Many states require two names – a first name and a last name – and some states require that when parents are married at the time their child is born, the father’s surname be used, according to usbirthcertificates.com, which collects information about birth of states certificate laws. In Mississippi, the child automatically takes the father’s surname when the parents are married, but a different name may be required. Other states, meanwhile, allow the child to take the mother’s maiden name if both parents agree, according to usbirthcertificates.com. Italy’s Minister for Family and Equal Opportunities Elena Bonetti wrote about the legislation on Facebook, saying the government would fully support the court ruling. “Today we are reversing the picture: we recognize equal dignity and equal responsibility, even parental, in both parents,” Bonetti wrote. “There is a clear and solid indication, which confirms that the choice of our Constitution is the choice of a democracy that can be said to be achieved only in view of the full scope of gender equality.” Italian MP Cecilia D’Elia wrote on Twitter about the decision, saying that mothers will be given the same “dignity as the father, a sign of culture”.

Caitlin O’Cain

Caitlin O’Kane is a digital content producer covering CBS News and The Uplift.