The Kenyan Scholar

In an ideal world, every child would know their parents' identities, but unfortunately, this isn't always the case, particularly in today’s world.

Towards the end of March last month, numerous Ghanaian men on social media urged the government to involve DNA in the initial compulsory testing performed on newborns. As per these men, it is getting increasingly difficult to trust women because they frequently hear stories about men who later discover they did not father their kids.

This time, the call came strongly when 45-year-old ex Chelsea midfielder Geremi discovered that he wasn't the father of his two kids. After learning that the children belonged to his wife's ex-partner and were not his own, Geremi filed for divorce. Geremi's wife reportedly swore the twins were his, which is why the two got married, but DNA testing has shown this to be untrue.

Elsewhere, a man with the TikTok handle @katoyusuf966 shared his story of learning that his oldest kid wasn't his real daughter. He disclosed that he first got to know his wife in 2016. After she became pregnant in 2019, they settled in together. He later learned that his first child was not actually his, although they did have another child.

Given the sheer volume of stories pertaining to these incidents, social media users view this depressing state of affairs as justifying the global legalization of DNA testing. Therefore, DNA testing should be mandated and made more affordable in light of current developments. Nowadays, a lot of guys are looking after other people's kids, and paternity fraud is not a crime for women who commit it.

Paternity fraud happens when a woman has a kid but misrepresents the father's identity to a man. She misrepresents herself as the father to one man in each paternity fraud case. That typically implies that she keeps the real father in the dark about his paternity.

That being the case, two males are defrauded in each instance of paternity fraud.

Father's rights advocates who operate the Men's Rights website urge for mandatory testing of DNA at all births to prevent paternity fraud. The website extrapolates from the Bureau of Vital Statistics data and makes certain assumptions to determine that between 280,000 to 410,000 children are born to men in the US every year who mistakenly believe they are the father.

Recent research has unveiled that 1 in 4 males who were tested were found to be paternitously unrelated to their children; this places Nigeria as second-highest country in terms of paternity fraud. As a result, more DNA testing will cause havoc in many households.

It is tough to pinpoint the precise number, however the DNA Centre for Paternity Test in Lagos, Nigeria estimates that about 60% of children who have DNA testing think the wrong person is their father.

As a result, peace-of-mind paternity tests are growing in popularity every day since they provide an accurate and affordable means of finding out the truth. It is understood that withholding the truth could have a significant negative impact on a kid who develops a bond with a man who later finds out is not their father, resulting in significant pain for both of them. Therefore, a paternity test carried out immediately as the baby is born can resolve any doubts regarding the identity of the baby's biological father and ensure that the father-child attachment gets off to the greatest possible foundation.

Nonetheless, it is acknowledged that paternity is an extremely private and delicate topic that can significantly impact families.

As a result, a significant debate concerning the introduction of a new statute pertaining to paternity DNA testing prior to a man signing a birth certificate has recently surfaced in a number of states. The main query being posed is whether or not paternity testing ought to be required as soon as a kid is born, prior to the birth certificate being signed. Discussions concerning justice, rights, and obligations have been triggered by this divisive topic.

Discussion about required paternity leave Prior to signing a birth certificate, DNA testing illustrates the intricate relationship between human liberty, rights, and obligations. While opponents stress the value of privacy and individual choice, supporters contend that it fosters equity and openness. It will probably be necessary to carefully weigh the legal, moral, and practical ramifications in order to strike a balance between various points of view.

It is clear from this argument that discussions surrounding paternity testing are changing in reaction to shifts in society and technological breakthroughs. The ultimate purpose of obligatory testing, whether it spreads widely or not, is still to ensure the greatest possible outcomes for families and children in a world that is changing quickly.

Thus, even though it could be uncomfortable for a couple to ask for a DNA test, it is ultimately preferable to find out whether the potential father is the biological father. Once a connection has been made, it is not ideal to put off things and then have to end things with the child's father. Additionally, it is the child's legal and medical right to know their biological father's identity, and DNA testing is the only surefire way to find out.

A DNA test of your child should certainly be made mandatory after birth. Requesting the test is never pleasant, but it's preferable for everyone to learn the truth without a protracted, drawn-out drama.

Knowledge is a beneficial thing. You have nothing more to lose if you turn out to be the father. Father's rights advocates would advise people to do this regardless of whether they are certain of their paternity. According to the advocates, nearly every father they have ever spoken with was certain of their paternity until the results of the DNA test were released.

If I could leave one thought for all of my male readers, it would be this: your paternity is in your hands. Although DNA testing is still quite expensive, you can do it yourself and anonymously whenever you want. That will provide you with important information to help you determine your own rights and obligations as a father.

You don't have to wait for the woman to come clean to you or for the court to rule. You can find out all the information yourself, and I strongly advise you to do so.