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Evolution of surname distribution under gender-equality measures
1Instituto de Fsica Interdisciplinar y Sistemas Complejos, CSIC-UIB, Campus UIB, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Plos One
|May 3, 2011
Summary
A proposed Spanish gender-equality law would require children to adopt both parents' surnames alphabetically. This study models how this surname law could alter Spain's current surname distribution, potentially biasing alphabetical ordering.
Area of Science:
- Sociolinguistics
- Demography
- Onomastics
Background:
- Current Spanish law allows parents to choose the order of surnames.
- A proposed gender-equality measure mandates children adopt both parents' surnames alphabetically.
- This legal change could impact the societal distribution and alphabetical ordering of surnames.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model the potential evolution of surname distribution in Spain under the proposed gender-equality law.
- To quantify the bias in alphabetical surname distribution resulting from the proposed law.
- To analyze the impact of this law on the current surname landscape in Spain.
Main Methods:
- Development of a computational model simulating surname adoption.
- Analysis of surname data from Spain.
- Statistical quantification of alphabetical distribution shifts.
Main Results:
- The proposed law is predicted to introduce a significant alphabetical bias in surname distribution.
- Surnames starting with letters common at the beginning of the alphabet may become more prevalent.
- The model quantifies the extent of this predicted shift.
Conclusions:
- The gender-equality measure, while promoting equality, is likely to alter Spain's surname distribution patterns.
- Understanding these demographic shifts is crucial for onomastic and sociological studies.
- Policy implications regarding surname laws and their long-term effects warrant further consideration.
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