Paternity

Paternity can be defined as the biological or the genetic descendency of an offspring to its father or male parent who is responsible in sexually reproducing species. Paternity the word today seems to be crucial for most of the sections of men at various stages of the life. In law this means the legal acknowledgement of the relationship of a father to his baby in several aspects.

In legal terms

Generally a child born to the wife in wedlock is the husband’s child under the presumption of legitimacy. And the man supposed to complete the rights as the father of the child in completing the rights, duties and responsibilities to the child. However the proof to the contrary has to be proved in court to have the paternity rights over the child under certain circumstances which can occur.  In the event of divorce, separation or dissolution it is the court which is deciding authority whether to grant paternity rights to the man in consideration with the man’s stand, responsibility, behavior and safety of the child.

Claiming the rights of paternity

In certain cases, though a child born in wedlock the man may doubt and if he is not willing to take the paternity rights have to produce evidences in the court to support his case. If proved then the one responsible for the birth of the child with the acceptance of the woman will be granted over the paternity rights whether he is willing or not.

And in the cases of child born to an unwed mother any man may come forward to take up the paternity with the consent of the woman and if the woman if not willing should as decided and advised by the court has to act out. If the paternity is in question, the woman or her associates can approach the court to identify the father of the child by biology. To prove this they have to offer the list of probable list and support with necessary documents. If proved the court may ask the man who is found responsible to support in the upbringing of the child or with visitation rights as legitimate father claiming paternity.

Effect on the future generation

In recent years these kinds of cases in both western and third world countries have started to increase often because of the lifestyles adapted by the youngsters and problems in the marriage. These factors have huge impact upon the children born and as they are the future generation the morality and personality of these children going to have adverse remarks on them.

Questions:

• Define paternity.
• State the importance of paternity rights.