Benefits
Knowing the identities of one’s parents is the fundamental right of every individual. A sense of belonging is established and a bond is created between the father and child.
There are other benefits of establishing paternity. The child may become a beneficiary to monetary benefits and other inheritances. Besides, the medical history and genetic basis of the child is also established and this information would help during a health crisis.
If there is doubt regarding the paternity of a child it is important to get the test done before the child is born, if only to protect the child’s rights!.
In some places, the woman may be required to fill out an Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP) form at the hospital if she is not legally married to the baby’s father. The father may get a separate test done if he so wishes prior to signing the AOP. If a baby is born to a married woman under controversial circumstances, her husband will be the baby’s legal father until such time that its paternity is proven. The same is applied to a woman who is not divorced for the past 300 days.
