Family Archives - Page 16 of 20

The Uphill Battle Facing Fatherless Children

by HOMEDNA on 12/15/2011

We often hear that a DNA paternity test helped bring a family together, which is a very rewarding outcome for our employees. With 41% of babies born out of wedlock today, what are some of the challenges faced by children raised without a father?

We found some startling facts at www.thisistheedge.org, a non-profit organization that addresses emotional problems in school-age children and helps them build greater emotional awareness.

Preschoolers living without their biological father are 40 times more likely to be a victim of child abuse.
Girls from fatherless homes are 111% (over 2X) more likely to have an unwed pregnancy.
70% of juveniles in state reform institutions grew up in father-absent homes.
85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes.
Girls from fatherless homes are 92% (nearly 2X) more likely to divorce.
A child living with his/her divorced mother, compared to a child living with both parents, is 375% more likely to need professional treatment for emotional or behavioral problems is almost twice as likely to repeat a grade of school, is more likely to suffer chronic asthma, frequent headaches, and/or bedwetting, develop a stammer or speech defect, suffer from anxiety or depression, and be diagnosed as hyperactive.

Just because a child is raised by a single mother doesn’t mean that he or she will experience these same issues. An old African proverb says, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. How true this is! Single moms work hard and stay strong for their kids. As family, friends and community members, we can help by taking an interest and watching for early warning signs of a child in distress. Everyone benefits when children are healthier!

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides tips for recognizing signs of behavioral and emotional issues in children ages birth to 21. Check out their informative website, www.healthychildren.org.

On Thanksgiving: a DNA Thought

by HOMEDNA on 11/24/2011

Happy Thanksgiving! Today, America has President Abraham Lincoln to ‘thank’ for proclaiming a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a day for families to gather together and share a feast celebrating the simplicity of family and the gratitude they possess. Although Lincoln is responsible for declaring November as the month for this U.S. holiday, some scholars debate the legitimacy of his family - specifically his paternity.

Since the 19th century, scholars have questioned who fathered Lincoln. Reasons fueling this debate include: The overall size and facial feature differences of President Lincoln when compared to his alleged father, Thomas Lincoln. The opposing intelligence levels shared between the two. Lincoln’s reserved nature when talking about his childhood and most convincingly, the rumor that there was another man involved with Lincoln’s mother Nancy Hanks.

One story suggests that Abram Enloe, a wealthy mountain man, took in an orphan named Nancy Hanks to be his family servant. While working for Enloe, Hanks became pregnant and delivered a baby boy, naming him Abraham. The similarity in the alleged father and child’s first names supports this rumor of questionable paternity. Further supporting the theory, there are photos that depict the physical resemblances between the two and biographers who argue that Lincoln’s birth record was falsified so that the illegitimate pregnancy would be covered up.

Because of the questions surrounding Lincoln’s paternity, author William E. Barton wrote a book entitled The Paternity of Abraham Lincoln. In this book, he mentions seven possible fathers for Lincoln but rejects them all in favor of Thomas Lincoln. His main argument supporting Thomas Lincoln was an official marriage certificate that places the wedding date three years prior to Abraham Lincoln’s birth. Historians have also noted the possibility of two women sharing the same first and last names during this particular time period and further question whether or not Lincoln’s mother was ever a family servant for Enloe.

The argument surrounding President Lincoln’s paternity is an ‘unsolved mystery’. It will probably be up for debate for eternity unless someone decides to rely on more than what they have previously to date - can anyone say DNA?

If you have questions about paternity tests or other DNA testing services, please contact our Client Support Center at 888-404-4363, Mon-Fri from 9 AM to 6 PM Eastern Time. Our friendly, expert representatives are ready and happy to help.

All My Children – Chandler vs. Duggar

by HOMEDNA on 11/16/2011

Let’s see . . .whom do you think has fathered the most children? Adam Chandler from ABC’s All My Children or Jim Bob Duggar from 19 Kids and Counting (soon to be 20 Kids and Counting)?

Not even close! Jim Bob Duggar wins this prize! However, Adam Chandler’s number was 9. He fathered the most children on the recently-canceled soap, according to New York magazine writer Willa Paskin. She published a clever timeline detailing the marriages, divorces, affairs and resurrections over All My Children’s 40-year run.

SEE THE INFOGRAPHIC NOW

Just for fun: In 42 seasons and 10,712 episodes, AMC had these pregnancy stats: One in three pregnancies ended in miscarriage, half ended in live birth, and one in four ended in infant death.

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