All Parents
Why a dad really does make a difference…
In the state of Ohio, if the mother and father are not married when their child is born, the child does not have a legal father unless paternity is established.
All kids deserve the right to know who they are, where they come from, who their parents are and all benefits that come with establishing paternity.
Learn more about health restrictions and tips on how to be prepared for establishing paternity at the hospital.
Benefits of Establishing Paternity
What are the benefits of establishing paternity?
Identification: Father’s name will appear on the child’s birth certificate gaining legal rights to his child.
Medical: Children can benefit by knowing both parents’ medical history, especially if a child inherits a medical illness. When a doctor has both the mother’s and father’s medical history, the child’s unique needs can be addressed. The child will also have access to their father’s health insurance.
Support: Establishing paternity provides legal, emotional, social, and economic ties between a parent and child to share in the responsibilities and rewards of parenting. Children of unmarried parents without support from both parents are much more likely to live in poverty and face other challenges growing up.
Benefits: When paternity is established, his child may have access to benefits such as Social Security, life insurance, military benefits, and inheritances.
Legal: Paternity establishment creates a legal relationship between father and child. Legal parents have the rights to have a relationship with their child and get help through the courts for visitation and/or custody if needed.
Establishing paternity helps children…
Form a relationship with both parents
Develop a sense of identity
Know about both families’ medical histories
Get access to health insurance and benefits like Social Security and inheritances
Stay away from high-risk behaviors
Establishing paternity helps mothers…
Get help with responsibilities and decisions
Share the joys of being a parent
Divide the costs of bringing up the child
Establishing paternity helps fathers…
Get legal rights to have a relationship with their child
Create an emotional bond with their child and be a part of their life
Share their side of the family with their child
Ask the court to assist with visitation and custody matters
Did you know that children of unmarried parents are 4 times more likely to be living in poverty?
But when fathers participate in their children’s lives, they can make a big difference. Studies show that children whose fathers play an active role in their lives are:
2 times less likely to drop out of high school
7 times less likely to become pregnant as a teen
Less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol
Less likely to have behavioral problems
Less likely to face abuse and neglect
Less likely to suffer obesity
Less likely to end up in prison
Source: https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic