Poll: Who's the daddy? Paternity test.

[Donbett1974]

It's estimated that 1.7%-20%(depending on what study you believe)that men are raising children they believe they father but did not. The question is should a paternity test be done when the child is born.

Edit: Paternity test is to determine the father of the child.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I don't see why not if only for the sake of Hospitals not accidentally swapping children.

 

[Mittens The Kitten]

Genetics shouldn't mean anything in child-raising.

 

[Gigano]

Much peace have probably been kept by dogmatically stating that a child born in marriage was fathered by the husband.

What good would come of exposing it for anyone? And how much harm?

 

[GeorgW]

I don't see any reason not to, it could probably make a difference.

 

[SilentCom]

I don't think paternity tests should be mandatory but the option available if there is reasonable doubt.

 

[Ham_authority95]

Don't they do those anyway? If not, I think it should be an option, just in case one of the parents has a genetic liability.

 

[WingedIncubus]

Paternity tests should be mandatory. We are advanced enough technologically and scientifically to make these tests well before the birth, there is no excuse.

Fathers have a right to know if the mommy has been a skank or not before they are trapped paying for a kid who isn't theirs for 18 to 21 years.

 

[JoJo]

Only if the father has suspicions, I can't see any harm in a few cuckoo'd babies existing, after-all this would only lead to yet more families with split up parents.

 

[Mister Benoit]

I'd do it just so i'm sure the hospital hasn't swapped my baby for someone else's by mistake. Considering most of the nurses there work 14-18 hour shifts I can see mistakes being made rather often.

 

[Donbett1974]

Much peace have probably been kept by dogmatically stating that a child born in marriage was fathered by the husband.

What good would come of exposing it for anyone? And how much harm?

First off man wouldn't have to stay with a cheating wife. Second the wife won't feel guilty for lying to her husband 18 years. Third and more important the child will have a less chance to grow and have sex with his/her's half-brother/sister.

 

[OtherSideofSky]

Probably. I'm all for the truth coming out, regardless of what consequences it may have, and its always good to have more thorough cataloging systems. Plus, I'm sure there's a geneticist somewhere who could work out something interesting out of all that data.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

Genetics shouldn't mean anything in child-raising.

Uhm yes, that's kinda the whole point of having children...

Yes, why not? A delivery is expensive enough as is, might as well throw in a paternity test to make sure. Plus it'll make birth certificates much more valuable as identification documents.

 

[Fetzenfisch]

Genetics shouldn't mean anything in child-raising.

I agree completely.
Well if they insist they may check secretly, just to prevend accidentally swaping the children. But i believe that this actully happens more often in hollywood than in reality.

 

[JaredXE]

I'd like to know if the ***** cheated on me, and no, I would NOT raise another man's child like that.

Marrying a woman who had kids before she met you...fine. Being fooled into thinking you're the father because your wife/girlfriend is a slut....no freakin' way.

 

[DementedSheep]

It should be an option yeah. You don?t want guys being forced to pay child support or sticking with the mother purely because they think the kid is theirs but it shouldn?t be mandatory.

 

[Treaos Serrare]

id be very interested to hear from these people who claim it doesn't matter when they find out the child their wife gave birth to was not fathered by them, i doubt they would be willing to keep that opinion.

personally i agree that it should be mandatory and both parties are informed verbally and in writing

 

[Wolfenbarg]

That sounds horribly biased and unfair to me. Issuing paternity tests is fine and all if you have probable cause to believe that there was some adultery going on, but to issue it at birth? How lacking in trust do you have to be to go that far? Also, is this an issue of consent? Because I seriously doubt the mother would stand for such a thing after giving birth.

 

[KingofallCosmos]

According to the figures I heard 1 in 10 children have a different father. Even if half of that is right, It would lead to a lot of friction if the test were mandatory. Not that it's the best choice to live in blissful ignorance, but just the fact that monogamy has never truly existed with people leads me to think it would not be a good idea.

 

[teisjm]

Genetics shouldn't mean anything in child-raising.

Well, if teh child is not the fathers, and he later finds out his wife has been cheating, he might end up leaving a child who has grown old enough to consider him it's father, instead of leaving an infant, who will never know him as a father, but might end up nkowing it's real father, who hopefully will accept his reponsibilities as a parent, and be a father for the child, instead.

I know it may sound cruel, but i can easily imagine someone leaving their wife and child if they find out she had been cheating and the child wasn't theirs.
Even though teh child never did anything, it'll still be a constant reminder to the not-fatehr that his significant other fucked around, and it could probably fuck up teh father/child relations big time.

Of course the real problem here are people cheating, not the child.