Posted on 08/11/2005 12:40:55 PM PDT by summer
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Perhaps one out of every 25 dads could unknowingly be raising another man's child, a finding that has huge health and social implications, according to report released Wednesday.
Exposing so-called paternal discrepancy -- when a child is identified as being biologically fathered by someone other than the man who believes he is the father -- could lead to family violence and the breakup of many families. On the other hand, leaving paternal discrepancy hidden means having the wrong genetic information, which could have health consequences.
A UK-based research team reviewed scientific research dealing with paternity published between 1950 and 2004 and reports that rates of paternal discrepancy range from less than 1 percent to as much as 30 percent.
The investigation also showed that becoming pregnant at a younger age, low socioeconomic status, and being in a long-term relationship rather than being married seem to be linked to greater likelihood of paternal discrepancy.
It is generally believed that rates of paternal discrepancy are less than 10 percent. A paternal discrepancy rate of 4 percent means that one in 25 families could be affected.
However, soaring rates of paternity testing in North America and Europe means more cases of paternal discrepancy will be identified in the years ahead, Professor Mark A. Bellis, from the Center for Public Health at the Liverpool John Moores University, and colleagues point out in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
In the United States, for example, rates of paternity testing more than doubled between 1991 and 2001. The increasing use of genetic testing for diagnosis and treatment of disease as well as in judicial procedures will also yield more opportunities to uncover cases where a father, unbeknownst to him, is not the biological parent.
"Modern genetic techniques continue to open a Pandora's box on hitherto hidden aspects of human sexual behavior," the investigators write.
Exposing such situations will inevitably affect not only deceived dads but also their family and potentially the biological father. Leaving paternal discrepancy undiagnosed, on the other hand, leaves those affected with incorrect genetic information that could prove harmful.
What's urgently needed, the authors say, is guidance on how and when paternal discrepancy should be exposed.
At present, most cases that are inadvertently identified are ignored by whoever uncovers the situation.
"However, in a society where services and life decisions are increasingly influenced by genetics, our approach to paternal discrepancy cannot be simply to ignore this difficult issue but must be informed by what best protects the health of those affected," Bellis and colleagues argue.
That is my point exactly. These "mis-fatherd" children will not know who their sibs/fathers are and therefore the likelihood that they will have children together is increased.
The US census bureau posted the 22% figure as those that ever permanently move more than 25 miles from their birth place.
"I know that my dad is real... he's a lazy bastard, I'm a lazy bastard, couldn't be mere coincidence."
We're brothers?!
This of course, is only incidentally related to the story at hand.
Out of wedlock does not necessarily indicate that some poor fool is hocking his car to pay for what he thinks is his child.
It more likely just means that another unwed mother is drawing wellfare for another fatherless kid.
It's hard when all the social/ gov't policies, the MSM and the "new morality" are saying exactly the opposite of what we try to model at home. They undermine good parenting at every turn.
At least our kids have the benefit of parents and values. It's not a guarantee, but good insurance. All we can do is pray for the rest.
In Trinidad there was a family
With much confusion as you will see
It was a mama and a papa, and a boy who was grown
Who wanted to marry and have a wife of his own
He found a young girl, that suited him nice
And went to his papa to ask his advice
His papa said son, I have to say no
This girl is your sister but your mama don't know
Woe, is me, shame and scandal in the family
Woe, is me, shame and scandal in the family
A week went by and the summer came 'round
And soon the best cook in the island he found
He went to his papa to name the date
But papa shook his head and to him he said
You can't marry this girl, I have to say no
This girl is your sister but your mama don't know
Woe, is me, shame and scandal in the family
Woe, is me, shame and scandal in the family
He went to his mama and covered his head
And told his mama what his papa had said
His mama she laughed, she said go, man, go
Your daddy ain't your daddy, but your daddy don't know
Woe, is me, shame and scandal in the family
Woe, is me, shame and scandal in the family
ROTFLMAO!!!!
On second thought, I kind of resemble that remark.
Try pointing that out to the liberal parasites -- sociologists and psychologists -- whose livelihood depends upon a paycheck from taxpayers for services that no sane person would fund.
You owe me a new keyboard!!! Thanks for the laugh!!!
This is hardly news. Various studies showing the same thing have been publicized for the past several years. It was no surprise to me the first time, and still isn't.
Certain members of my family know that my grandmother's sister was really her half-sister. The more naive members of the family (including the woman's daughter) have no idea. It had been speculated for years, due to her striking resemblance to a male friend of her mother's, and certainly her official "father" knew pretty early on. She obviously knew herself, since she confirmed it to my father on her deathbed, but I have no idea how old she was when she found out. At any rate, it certainly didn't cause the family to disintegrate.
...At the birth of their third child it became obvious she had some 'splainin' to do....
LOL. There was an old SNL skit that was pretty funny. Went something like this.
The boys need to raise their standards too. It's not just about the women.
You are correct in that it only takes one to allow sexual access. However, just because I have access doesn't mean I'm gong to use it. The males in these relationships have just as much responsibility to control their behavior as the women do.
Reminds me of what was probably the only funny comedy line that Ellen Degenerate ever said: "I'm a single woman, no kids. At least... none that I... know about".
That statement is just plain weird!
From Benny Hill - He: "Goodnight, mother of two"; She: "Goodnight, father of one"
That is so true. It's also not the kid's fault for the parent's indiscretions.
Fortunately, I have no doubt. Both my daughter and son are dead ringers for me, and that's scary!
Also disgraceful, "Johns".
For every whore, there is AT LEAST one male customer.
Same for every slut, who is too stupid to even charge...or take a pill.
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