The question of the paternity of a child probably arises more often than people think.
If you take the results of a British study based on various family studies from 1950 to 2004, then around 3.7% of all children are said to be so-called “cuckoo children” – that is, they were raised by a non-biological father. Further studies show this percentage to be even higher.
We don't need to argue for long about the importance of this question for everyone involved. Therefore, in the vast majority of cases, clarification is of fundamental importance for the future happiness of the child, mother and father.
The term “paternity test” has become commonplace. Strictly speaking, this is a so-called parentage report, which is intended to clarify a potential relationship between two people (usually father and child).
Various methods are used, such as a blood group test or an anthropological-genetic-biological report. However, the most common and safest method today is DNA analysis. You can purchase a paternity test here .
Uncertainty, doubt or complete ignorance about the actual biological relationship between people can become a great emotional burden and can sometimes result in a lot of suffering and pain for those affected.
But beyond emotional relief, the answer to the paternity of a child can also bring with it other psychological, physical and economic-legal benefits - for the child itself, for the parents, but also often for a number of other people who are involved in the process play a role in the child's life.
I would now like to go into these important reasons for deciding to clarify the question of the biological father in more detail below.
1. Legal and social security for the child
According to German law, a legal father has clear obligations and rights towards his child. This creates clarity and security, especially for the child themselves, that this is of course intended to protect them.
If a child is born within the framework of a valid marriage, its legal father is the mother's husband at the time of birth - even if he does not have to be the biological father at the same time.
If the husband is not the father in this case, he must first fight in court for recognition of his legal paternity.
In any case, it is important that the child is cared for and protected by a father's duties of care. In addition to a father's financial obligations, there is of course also his responsibility for upbringing.
For example, after legal clarification, the mother can sue the biological father for maintenance. Or the biological father can demand access rights to his child in order to be able to spend time with him, even if the mother does not want this.
Another scenario in which clarifying paternity can play a role is, for example, the separation of a couple who have a child together. If the child then stays with the mother and the father leaves the shared home and works full-time, then in most cases he is obliged to pay maintenance benefits.
If the father now has legitimate doubts as to whether he is actually the biological father of the child or whether this was perhaps foisted on him by the mother, then clarifying the biological relationship can play a major role for the alleged father from a financial perspective. Under certain circumstances, he can free himself from the maintenance obligation.
Other social and legal benefits for the child include:
- Health insurance + general insurance coverage
- Inheritance claims
2. Medical diagnoses and measures are made easier
While clarifying the legal situation is most people's top priority on this issue, there are also two other reasons for choosing such a test.
In particular, the importance of biological ancestry in medical matters is often overlooked.
If medical complications or the diagnosis of a serious illness arise during a person's life, then knowledge of the biological origins and the use of medical data about the biological father and/or other people from his or her ancestry can, under certain circumstances, mean success or Decisive the failure of therapies.
Knowledge of biological ancestry plays an important role, especially in diseases that are hereditary or in which there is a genetic component.
This information can also be crucial for blood transfusions, serious operations or organ donations.
3. Emotional and psychological health – bond between child and his biological father is strengthened
Ignorance or doubt about our father or child can haunt and preoccupy us throughout our lives. It is undisputed that this circumstance has a negative effect on our quality of life.
On the other hand, clarification can make an enormously positive contribution to our emotional and mental health and thus lead to more stability in our lives.
Since several factors come into play here, I would like to break down this third point even further:
identity
The question of our identity is a core question in all of our lives.
Knowledge of our ancestry and origins contributes to their development to a fundamental extent. The lack of knowledge about our ancestry can lead to major problems when growing up and make it noticeably more difficult for us to find ourselves and develop our personality.
Belonging and family ties
Every child has a natural need to get to know both parents and develop a close emotional bond with them. If this is made possible for the child, it creates a strong feeling of belonging and security and gives him an important orientation in life.
Of course, this has a strongly positive effect on personality development and makes it easier for an adolescent to find their way successfully in life and to overcome hurdles better.
However, if the child is not allowed to get to know the biological father, this development can be inhibited or disrupted.
If you still need specific information about the process, how it works and the legal framework surrounding the paternity test, you will find it in the specialist article on the subject from Netdoktor.de .
Finally, I would like to make it clear that this article is a personal opinion and argument and in no way represents professional psychological, educational, legal or other advice based on technically sound knowledge.
While clarification of a child's biological origins is of great importance according to the recognized professional opinion of psychologists and lawyers, you should definitely think carefully about it before taking this step.
While the effects are mostly positive, it can also have a destabilizing effect on the child, the parents or other people involved (e.g. siblings). If in doubt, I therefore recommend that you seek advice from a psychologist and/or specialist lawyer.
