system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why, mainly in the past, only the women changed their surnames when married

What is the story behind this?
gpt
Traditionally, the woman leaves her family to join her husband who is now the head of her new family. It would follow that she takes the name of her new family.

Edit: this is why the father of the bride gives away the bride at the start of the ceremony. If the father is not available, typically, another male member like a brother or paternal grandfather will give away the bride.