Friday, October 28, 2011

Of Questionable Parentage



The relatively common occurrence of infidelity in marriage has given rise to a specific social dilemma - that of children with questionable parentage. Many men have unknowingly raised children who are not biologically related to them because of their wives' extramarital affair/s. With the introduction of paternity tests, many questions have been resolved to the benefit of those primarily concerned namely the child and the alleged father.

Questions as to maternity as less common than paternity issues because it is almost impossible not to be able to pinpoint the mother because of the process of giving birth. It is usually paternity which becomes an issue specifically if the mother has had simultaneous sexual relations with different men. It is possible in cases like this that the mother herself would not know who the father is.

Children borne by legally married women are presumed by law to be children of the legal husband. The fact to the contrary has to be proven by means of paternity tests if the husband believes that there is a possibility that the child is not his and is actually a product of a wife's unfaithfulness. Finding out the truth is of great interest to many because of the corresponding responsibilities carried by the man who is declared as the biological father as well as the implications associated with support, inheritance, and work benefits.

Conducting a paternity test need not be a public matter due to the availability of test kits that can be used at home. The results provided are as good as those conducted by legally appointed laboratories. When peace of mind is sought in matters that pertain to a child's questionable parentage, paternity tests hold the key.















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