Should paternity tests be mandatory?

JaxJim · 2024-01-07T14:34:28+00:00

Absolutely. I have a friend with 4 children (all now grown) and only one is his.

"Lucy! You got some splainin to do."

Ok-Remove3693 · 2024-01-07T23:12:04+00:00

Absolutely mandatory. Can’t imagine how many men put there raising kids that aren’t even theirs!

ComfortableJeans · 2024-01-07T15:11:28+00:00

I'm seeing the same women from the "How Common is Cheating?" Thread, who were throwing out numbers as high as 70%, now saying that paternity tests are stupid and unnecessary.

Funny.

meangingersnap · 2024-01-08T00:46:46+00:00

Yes, there should absolutely be a database of male DNA, no kid should not know who their father is and no man should be able to skip out on child support. The database would insure it. Additionally, it would not only tell men their wives cheated, it would tell wives of their husbands father a child outside of the relationship. It's wins all around. Why do men recommend testing a baby against a father instead of against a database so the father can ALWAYS be identified?

neverendingplush · 2024-01-07T16:23:15+00:00

The fact that there is so much discussion over something that that has absolutely nothing but long term benefits for society shows how deceptive many women are , or intend to be regarding allowing men to know the paternity of their children.

If you aren't cheating you have absolutely nothing to hide. It's just that simple. What's the issue. Instead the comments are full of women gaslighting men into being called insecure for wanting to know within a shadow of a doubt their kids is theirs. How many people get cheated on in relationships.....really telling

turbosaab3 · 2024-01-07T18:13:10+00:00

Is there a reason why it shouldn't be? Its cheap and it can also be used to track genetic diseases.

alexoid182 · 2024-01-07T12:41:29+00:00

Yes, any father should have the right to request one, without lengthy or costly legal proceedings.

velvetalocasia · 2024-01-07T10:53:58+00:00

How can that not be achieved today with the current way of paternity tests?

Everyone who is interested in the dna of their children can get a test.

16F33 · 2024-01-07T13:27:08+00:00

What is the argument against it?

Ok-Map-7596 · 2024-01-07T11:05:28+00:00

Getting a paternity test on one of your kids is ridiculously easy and cheap. The only reason men here want make it mandatory is because they don't want to deal with the natural consequences that comes with accusing your wife/gf of cheating.

This is a personal problem. Theres no reason the government should waste time and resources making it mandatory just to soothe the minds of some neurotic men.

Radiant_Specific6542 · 2024-01-07T15:16:54+00:00

No. Don't be a pussy, get the test. If she's mad, let her be mad. Actually, if she's mad, she doesn't even value you, my guy. My wife has zero issue with taking one.

On the flip side, there's 1st world countries that it's illegal. That shit isn't right.

MistyMaisel · 2024-01-07T15:00:41+00:00

Taking a slightly different approach than my usual:

No. This would cause immense undo pressure, anxiety, and neuroticism in the overwhelming and vast majority of couples who have been faithful 100% and are just having a baby. But the human mind is a weak place and it is going to cause a lot of the men to be looking with suspicion at their woman for the days or weeks it takes to get that test back when they should be connecting on an even deeper and more complete level. The woman conversely even if she's been 100% faithful is in a delicate state and likely to sense this and be upset or even more anxious that the test will be a false negative. It's a terrible idea. You're punishing all the healthy normal people in order to quell the fears of a few who can't just nut up and get the test and piss off their partner.

The 10% number you all keep slinging around came from a data set of people who had reason to suspect the child wasn't their's. Which is to say that even among men with a good reason to question paternity, 90% of the time it is their baby. So a fraction of a fraction of the population is a reason to inflict this curse on the vast majority? I don't think so.

relish5k · 2024-01-07T11:59:34+00:00

Mandated by who? The government? Paid for by who, the taxpayer?

If it is to be mandated by the government then there needs to be popular support. The last polling I saw showed about half of men support this but only a third of women.

Complex administrative systems don’t just grow on trees.

It would likely be just as effective a deterrent and much less onerous on healthcare system / less costly to make paternity fraud a crime.

wtknight · 2024-01-07T14:53:32+00:00

No. But it should always be allowed to ask for a paternity test if someone distrusts their partner.

blebbyroo · 2024-01-07T11:28:08+00:00

We don’t test civilians blood against unsolved crimes that have DNA that’s not been matched, because it would be a breach of civil liberties. You can’t test innocent people because what if / catch the few who would do this.

That__EST · 2024-01-07T15:24:54+00:00

Here's a better question, why aren't they already mandated? Hospitals run tons of tests and suggest vaccines and such, a paternity test added to that would be nothing. So we have to ask why we don't have these tests. And I don't think it has anything to do with protecting women or feminism. I think that it's about protecting the men who get these married women pregnant. For every man who has fears of being at the receiving end of paternity fraud, there are men who are excited at the thought of fucking and running and don't want to get caught. The men who are in power are very likely not involuntarily celibate men. They likely worry more about getting another man's wife pregnant than their own wife committing paternity fraud. Because legitimately I don't understand why paternity tests aren't mandated with all of the responsibility it puts on the man.

PM_ME_ZED_BARA · 2024-01-07T11:39:39+00:00

I sympathize with the motivation behind this but I am not really interested in government enforcing the mandatory testing. Personally I would also not want my tax money to be spent on other people’s family matters.

If anything, the couples should be the ones paying for the tests. Perhaps the government should promote the tests (rather than forcing them) by subsidizing the testing services or providing tax deductions to the couples if the tests show no infidelity (no more than once in each person’s life).

zoxzoxzo · 2024-01-07T11:57:45+00:00

Paternity tests upon child birth would help avoid a lot of potential drama down the road. Man would know he is the true father and woman wouldn't get triggered later for cheating accusation. I cannot fathom why would anyone be against this except for serial cheaters.

flextov · 2024-01-08T02:42:36+00:00

A mandatory DNA database would probably be unconstitutional in the US. What could probably be done is a law stating that there must be a positive paternity test done before a man’s name can be put on the birth certificate. No more taking the mother’s word for it.

wylaaa · 2024-01-07T21:22:10+00:00

I don't see why not.

There's been multiple baby swap incidents in hospitals and hospitals have responded by putting systems in place to ensure the child comes out of the hospitals with the correct set of parents. This would just be another test to ensure that happens.

Without this you are not only tricking a man in to caring for a child he may not want to care for you are also depriving a man the chance to be in his childs life.

Safinated · 2024-01-07T16:11:35+00:00

No, because they’re affordable and accessible, and privacy is a thing

apresonly · 2024-01-07T18:02:57+00:00

only if the results are run through the unsolved crime database

thekinkyhairbookworm · 2024-01-07T15:06:54+00:00

No. When you say mandatory, I’m assuming this means that the government must pay for it. There are over 3 million babies born in the US every single year, which would cost hundreds of millions of dollars a year. In the US a lot of people do not have healthcare, ability to get medication they genuinely need, struggling with crippling student loan debt, children are hungry and you want us to spend that money on fucking paternity tests???? Paternity tests are widely available. If you want one, get one. The government doesn’t have to pay for it. Also, I agree with what about her comment said: many of you want this so you don’t have to deal with the fact by asking for one you essentially accuse your partner of cheating. Men pride themselves on masculinity and being “a man” right???? Be a man and tell her you want one done.

checkeredvansweedman · 2024-01-07T10:43:18+00:00

I don’t think it’s even considered because no one cares which man is the father. Most doctors wouldn’t tell a man he isn’t the father even if they knew.

MidoriEgg · 2024-01-07T11:15:17+00:00

No, it should be up to the couple, I don’t think it’s the governments place to enforce things like that. Plus if it was happening en masse I’m sure there would be mix ups, which would lead to lawsuits etc,

Also if it was mandatory that would mean it’s paid for by the government, ie taxpayer money. I don’t want to pay for other peoples kids to get paternity tests.

Mr_Chad_Thunderpenis · 2024-01-07T12:50:40+00:00

Yes, paternity tests should be mandatory. And after getting the test, men who are fine with raising another man's kid can just put their name on the certificate. There are only upsides to this.

Aafan_Barbarro · 2024-01-07T10:54:37+00:00

Obviously, yeah. No man should be deceived that he is the father and every father should not be able to avoid the responsibility.

PerfumedPornoVampire · 2024-01-07T13:00:38+00:00

This will never happen because the government will never let it happen. They don’t want to raise the hordes of fatherless children when they could just dupe some schmuck into paying for the kid. If I’m not mistaken, France and Israel have already banned paternity and even basic genetic testing for this reason.

That being said I do think it should be mandatory, but not for the parents - for the child. Every child deserves to know the truth behind their conception and their potential genetic issues. If you read stories from people who are the result of NPEs or had hidden adoptions it’s not pretty, and most of them are messed up for life.

LilRedMoon__ · 2024-01-07T13:28:13+00:00

yes. it should be just a routine as anything else like blood pressure.

GltyUntlPrvnInncnt · 2024-01-07T18:03:28+00:00

Yes. It's as simple as that. Studies show that 5-10% of men are not fathers to children they thought they were. There are shitty women that do this for personal gain or whatever. Trust but verify.

Teflon08191 · 2024-01-07T20:03:32+00:00

Yes. Humans cheat. A lot. Women who make establishing paternity about themselves ("don't you trust me?!") always seem to conveniently forget that they, too, are humans.

Early_Inspector988 · 2024-01-07T12:30:44+00:00

Given how little fathers actually have to do with their children unless they actively want to and make the effort, "burden" is a bit strong. However, paternity testing is already available for those who want it, so I'm unsure what the problem is really?

froderenfelemus · 2024-01-07T13:03:00+00:00

It wouldn’t really be sustainable to do. If everyone has to take a paternity test, then that would take ressources, money, lab time and whatnot.

It should definitely always be an option, but it doesn’t make sense to waste resources on people who aren’t doubting the paternity.

But I do think that’s already an option? Maybe not everywhere though, I’m not sure.

SleepyPoemsin2020 · 2024-01-07T14:14:11+00:00

No the government shouldn't be funding or soothing your neuroticism.

Ok-Coat7665 · 2024-01-07T11:01:28+00:00

Hmmm, should we have government-mandated DNA collection and testing?

Podlubnyi · 2024-01-07T14:33:40+00:00

On the other side, arguments can be made that society and children at large would suffer if this was to take place.

The only pain and suffering will be felt by the women who can't trick men into raising and paying for someone else's kid.

On that note, hospitals shouldn't bother with tags and footprints when a baby is born. They should just hand the mother the nearest baby and if she finds out a few years later that she's raising a kid she didn't give birth to, tell her tough. Should've had a test right away. Biology doesn't matter. See how long that lasts.

mobjack · 2024-01-07T15:39:40+00:00

The net result would be that more children would be raised without fathers.

It might only work if every man in the country has their DNA stored in a database so it can be used to help find the correct father. Even then, it will break up families being a net negative on society.

Under the current system, you can still get a paternity tests if you are concerned, so that is fair to me.

Extension-Inside-826 · 2024-01-07T16:38:30+00:00

Yes!

avpd_girl · 2024-01-07T22:54:59+00:00

If you have no reason to believe your child isn’t yours, aren’t you worried about all the false positives?

SamuraiGoblin · 2024-01-08T00:09:57+00:00

Yes, everyone has a right to know who their actual parents are, and who their actual children are.

Such knowledge is VITALLY important because of things like heritable diseases and possible organ donation. That is indisputable.

The ONLY people arguing against mandatory paternity tests are women who cheat, or tribalistic women who feel it's a loss for their side if women can't deceive men at the expense of their children.

Mentathiel · 2024-01-07T11:57:34+00:00

The state has no interest in mandating that since all it gets out of that are single mothers taxpayers have to take care of, so I think it's very unlikely to happen.

My personal belief is that they should be done by default, but there should be a possibility for parents to opt out if they both want to. I think the woman wanting to opt out would be enough of a red flag to make it that guy's problem from that point on to figure out what's going on. I think opt out is important for parental rights / bodily autonomy / privacy, since it is an unnecessary procedure and requires getting DNA of two individuals. But default opt in is important so it wouldn't be like guy is asking for something extraordinary if he wants it done and so people who're uninformed could also get it done. Something like that.

But it's not happening. I'm not even sure my position on it is rational, I just find it emotionally hard to think of the uncertainty men face and the stigma wanting to check carries with it. Especially when it comes to men with abuse, trauma, and cheating in their pasts, something like this can eat away at them through no fault of their partner's and damage their relationship with their kid. And of course there are cases where the kid isn't actually theirs where they absolutely deserve to know.

Fiestygirl000 · 2024-01-07T13:16:56+00:00

Where would this information be stored? No.

Government should not be allowed to keep my DNA on file for a you could or could not be the parent. If you want a paternity test get one done by yourself and leave the rest of the people out of it.

Electronic_West_1831 · 2024-01-07T11:41:02+00:00

No - if you’re that paranoid about raising a child that isn’t yours, then simply don’t have children

Gilmoregirlin · 2024-01-07T16:52:01+00:00

Again? Hasn’t this one been debated to death already?

Cool_Ranch_2511 · 2024-01-07T11:39:56+00:00

I strongly disagree with mandating paternity tests. In most US states, men have the right to privacy when it comes to getting a paternity test without needing the mother's consent. That's already how it works.

A future with mandatory paternity tests is one that rewards the cowardly men.

Instead we should normalize unilateral paternity testing rights in all states for all men who seek it.

SilentFroggy · 2024-01-07T12:11:53+00:00

I don’t believe you’ll need it with the right woman. But it would make sense as guys lower their standards drastically. Seems like men will settle for women with red flags hoping it will work.

dishonouronmycow · 2024-01-07T15:34:06+00:00

Yeah, I’d say the best way is to have a government data base of all DNA from birth. We’d solve more crimes too

DarkLordTK · 2024-01-07T19:16:31+00:00

What about the kids, actually? I have various opinions about the male/female relationship here, but at the end of the day, the lies fall on the children. False hereditary data is a problem. Honestly this is probably going to take care of itself. As we continue to do more and more testing and work on DNA stuff prenatal, it's going to be more and more of a thing that exists anyway.

Additionally I do find it amusing that most of the debates are from the point of view of us not doing it and whether we should. A world where we already do eliminates almost all of that debate. Fascinating, right? I feel like that almost answers the question by itself!

GlamSunCrybabyMoon · 2024-01-07T16:59:27+00:00

No, I’m certain that it’s unconstitutional in some way to test every single person born. Like that’s definitely a privacy issue.

NJFlowerchild · 2024-01-07T16:32:18+00:00

Define mandatory? Can a couple opt out? Is the natural father notified? You're going to have a lot of pissed off "anonymous" sperm donors in that case. You're also going to endanger the victims of rape AND the child. No, it should not be mandatory. There should be a system to opt out.

LoudPiece6914 · 2024-01-07T14:39:53+00:00

Yes, we have the technology. Why not at least have an opt out system.

GltyUntlPrvnInncnt · 2024-01-07T19:06:58+00:00

Yes.

operatowers · 2024-01-07T20:29:16+00:00

Required only when there is a court-order for child support.

Otherwise there's no reason to get into people's business - even if that means some poor schlub is tricked into raising a child that isn't his.

Sea_Roll_2099 · 2024-01-07T13:54:06+00:00

No.

Believe it or not there are still normal Christians in the world who take their vows seriously.

WilliamWyattD · 2024-01-07T12:04:00+00:00

They are still too expensive. At some point, when they are cheaper, they should somehow become the default without actually being mandatory.

SoldierExcelsior · 2024-01-07T14:15:00+00:00

I don't think mandatory is nessasary...every man should just have it done before claiming a child as his..If someones dumb enough not to do a paternity test they deserve to raise a child that's not theirs

Edit: After reading some comments I changed my opinion...I should be mandatory so men don't have to ask for it...which implies he doesn't trust the mother which will cause long term damage in the relationship.

Ok-Size-6016 · 2024-01-08T03:35:20+00:00

No lmao not if you’re not disgusting

SillyMushroomTip · 2024-01-07T12:32:44+00:00

Yes absolutely, its should be with the birth certificate.

There shouldnt even be controversy about this, whats wrong with Men wanting to know for 100% certain that their child is theirs? It removes all doubts and verifies trust.

Women don't like it because they just want men to follow blindly into a 18 year commitment. Then when you find out the child isnt yours they go "oops!, your still on the hook for child support lol"

AutoModerator · 2024-01-07T10:37:12+00:00

Attention!

You can post off topic/jokes/puns as a comment to this Automoderator message.
For "Debate" and "Question for X" Threads: Parent comments that aren't from the target group will be removed, along with their child replies.
If you want to agree with OP instead of challenging their view or if the question is not targeted at you, post it as an answer to this comment.
OP you can choose your own flair according to these guidelines., just press Flair under your post!

Thanks for your cooperation and enjoy the discussion!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

AutoModerator · 2024-01-07T10:37:13+00:00

Hi OP,

You've chosen to identify your thread as a Debate. As such you are expected to actively engage in your own thread with a mind open to being changed. PPD has guidelines for what that involves.

OPs author must genuinely hold the position and you must be open to having your view challenged.

An unwillingness to debate in good faith may be inferred from one or several of the following:

Ignoring the main point of a comment, especially to point out some minor inconsistency;

Refusing to make concessions that an alternate view has merit;

Focusing only on the weaker arguments;

Only having discussions with users who agree with your position.

Failure to keep to this higher standard (we only apply to Debate OPs) may result in deletion of the whole thread.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

TomKikkert · 2024-01-07T13:08:16+00:00

Only if money is involved

Think_Day_8061 · 2024-01-07T14:50:32+00:00

I've been with my partner nearly 20 years at this point, and we have zero plans to have children. If we had one, I'd want a test.

So, I'd let her know of my intentions (I'm not going to lie to her), and if she felt that the relationship was over because of that request, then I would agree with her.

Clearly, our values do not match. I would leave.

(Easy for me to say now. I'd probably be whimpering in a corner halfway through a second tub of Ben and Jerry's. But on reddit I'm a badass. You don't want this smoke)

Suspicious-Bed-2717 · 2024-01-07T14:52:20+00:00

Yes it should always be mandatory, it wouldn't take more than 5 minutes from the man's time and the baby to collect saliva samples. Don't let these women raise another man's child and end up destroying your life years later.

Barice69 · 2024-01-07T15:05:15+00:00

<image>

Sharplove365 · 2024-01-07T15:22:45+00:00

The consequence of this, is that women knowing about who the father is won't lie about the father early-on to their partner..

SnooBeans6591 · 2024-01-07T15:47:24+00:00

Honestly, I'd be happy if I was at least allowed to make a paternity test without approval from a judge or the mother.

Because both in Germany and in France, the man is just not allowed to do it. If you are in the US, or some other not fucked-up country, you can at least make the paternity test on your own.

bootyhunter69420 · 2024-01-07T20:22:39+00:00

I would definitely have all of my kids tested

This-is-not-eric · 2024-01-07T20:40:06+00:00

As long as child support as a result of those tests is just as mandatory (and absolutely unrelated to contact with the child) I'm 100% down.

I'm not saying dads shouldn't have contact, I'm just saying that child support still needs to be paid even when they don't/won't have contact (for whatever reasons).

OneComfortable3508 · 2024-01-08T00:17:32+00:00

They are mandatory for the dysfunctional. But all of the grown ups shouldn’t have to use them.

Jambi1913 · 2024-01-08T01:50:09+00:00

If a child turns out not to be the offspring of the father tested, then how do you find the real father if the mother doesn’t know/doesn’t indicate who it might be? Will we have a database of all men to test against? That will go down well!

When it comes down to it, it’s primarily about wanting certainty that the man’s child is biologically theirs. That is fine, get the test, but don’t act like this is for anyone’s benefit but your own and you don’t want to openly accuse the mother of your child of cheating and face the repercussions of that. There is no good reason for the government and unrelated citizens to have to fund and submit their DNA to a database. You can privately test.

We have been over this question here many times and my stance is that a man should make it known early in a relationship (ideally before sex) that if any pregnancy occurs, he wants a paternity test for his own peace of mind. This is not an accusation, simply a desire he has to have that DNA certificate to fully feel secure that he is the father. I also understand a man wanting a paternity test from a one night stand or short term relationship - especially if he knows she’s been recently having sex with other men. Otherwise, bringing up that you want a paternity test after many years together and a planned pregnancy is unequivocally an accusation of infidelity and you, as a man and a partner/husband, should have the balls to say that to the face of the woman who has birthed your child and pay for that test to be done. The state has nothing to do with that at all.

One day perhaps we will have very cheap and easy genetic testing that will screen for all hereditary diseases and the paternity will simply be a part of that. That would be good. But it should never be mandatory, imo - people should have the choice. And if you don't trust the woman you had a baby with to disclose any uncertainty over the baby's paternity, then you should discuss that with her - not rely on the state to confirm or deny it.

Recording_Important · 2024-01-08T04:47:59+00:00

CoffinEluder · 2024-01-08T04:51:32+00:00

Yes. Only people that are prone to side-action are against it

_DifficultPerformer_ · 2024-01-08T05:26:03+00:00

Yes. Should be standard as children are born, especially if a man is in the picture stepping up to claim, should be tested for paternity to establish that it is in fact his to claim.

Seaside877 · 2024-01-08T05:35:48+00:00

It’ll never happen because the man is off the hook financially and then the government has to pay welfare to the soon to be single mother

trahloc · 2024-01-08T05:38:02+00:00

Hospitals screw up sometimes. The child isn't with you 24/7 after it exits your womb. So even for a mother it makes sense to validate *both* parents. Although everyone knows paternity testing will come back negative significantly more often ...

Cherish_Lifee · 2024-01-08T19:42:29+00:00

In a perfect world, yes. Will never happen tough.

SentientNose · 2024-01-08T23:14:18+00:00

Yes, however the man should be required to pay for them not the government.

HotOutcome9161 · 2024-01-09T03:33:03+00:00

No. Getting a DNA test done is simple. I you want one, you can do it yourself. It‘s the same thing with child support. The women isn‘t granted child support automatically once she gives birth. She has to take the time to fill out the forms and pay the lawyers in order to get it done.

We expect adults to do the basic adult stuff like fill out the form or send out the letter. Is that really to much to ask for?

I really feel for men who had to raise children that aren‘t theirs. it should be illegal to foist a child on someone when you know there is more than one possible father. But everyone is allowed to do the test.

I mean I wouldn‘t really care all that much if it does become mandarory. I‘m fine with either. I just think it‘s sonething so easily accessible just do it if you want it.

Title	Should paternity tests be mandatory?
Author	Ylduts
Upvotes	52
Comments	497
Date	January 7, 2024 10:37 AM UTC (2 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/PurplePillDebate
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/PurplePillDebate/comments/190pg3z/should_paternity_tests_be_mandatory/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/PurplePillDebate/should-paternity-tests-be-mandatory.1242446 https://theredarchive.com/post/1242446

Comments