Belgian children could soon bear mother’s name

Mothers in Belgium could soon pass on their maiden names to their children, reports BBC News. As things stand, Belgian children automatically take their father's family name. But that's about to change, thanks to a plan approved by the country's cabinet. If approved by parliament, it will allow parents to pass on either of their surnames, or give their children double-barrelled names in whichever order they choose. "Freedom is an important value in our society. It really ought to be possible to give the mother's name or both parent’s names to a child," Justice Minister Annemie Turtelboom told the VRT. Despite hailing the move, Turtelboom reportedly admits she's "glad" not to have passed on her name to her children. That's apparently because she doesn't want them burdened by her political position.