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23 Reasons to be Thankful for Kids

by HOMEDNA on 11/15/2021

Kids are our future; they are the life focus for many of us who are making sure they are fed, clothed, educated and loved. Even if we do not have children ourselves, all of us can support parents in our communities as they work to raise young people into kind, responsible, and productive adults.

As a top paternity test company, our life’s work is to help parents find the answers they’re looking for, and those answers always involve kids: of all ages, ethnicities, family situations, and economic circumstances. We do this through easy, affordable at-home DNA testing. Every person has 23 pairs of chromosomes with DNA containing generations of family traits, so here are 23 reasons to be thankful for kids and how they help us be better grown-ups.

1. They’re inspiring.

Is there anything more amazing than holding a brand-new baby? Children help us want to be better people and inspire us to be a good example for them to follow.

2. They’re challenging.

No doubt about it – kids of all ages can test our patience. On the other hand, the challenges help us discover strengths and problem-solving skills we never knew we had.

3. They’re sincere.

Is there any 3-year-old on this planet who hesitates to tell us exactly what they think? Toddlers mean what they say and say what they mean-and it’s so endearing!

4. They’re joyful.

A butterfly. A swirling dryer at a laundromat. The first snowflake. Kids find joy and wonder in ordinary things, and their excitement about it all helps us see the world differently.

5. They’re silly.

Unbridled laughter when they get tickled. Dumb jokes. Children are often silly, and that glee is contagious. Feeling blue? When we hang out with little kids, it doesn’t last long.

6. They’re determined.

Whether it’s a baby rolling over for the first time or an older kid trying so hard to score that first soccer goal, children are determined. We can learn a lot from their fearlessness and tenacity.

7. They love to hug.

Doctors say hugging makes you healthier. In fact, 20-second hug reduces stress and positively impacts blood pressure and heart rate (Mercola). Good thing little ones love to hug us!

8. They’re forgiving.

Parents make mistakes: it’s inevitable. When we ask a small child for forgiveness, it’s freely given. Saying ‘I’m sorry’ to kids is a great life lesson for them: no one is perfect.

9. They keep us going

Experts agree that parents are great motivators for children. But they do as much for us! They get us up, out, moving and doing every day: so the support and encouragement goes both ways.

10. They love holding hands

As with hugging, multiple studies show holding hands reduces stress for everyone (Hitti), and kids love it! So when we hold their hands while crossing the street or when walking in the park, we’re both safer and heart-happy.

11. Their handmade gifts

Nothing says “I love you” more sincerely than a crayon-smeared card or macaroni necklace. They’re the gifts we keep forever.

12. Their little voices

Parents instinctively recognize their own children’s voices because they’re imprinted on our hearts. Little voices are one of the sweetest sounds that can reach our ears.

13. Their tenderness

If we’re sad, our kids can feel it and they might offer a hug or an ‘I love you’ when we need it most. That tenderness is also shown toward their best friends and especially animals.

14. Their wisdom

There’s a reason for that saying from Psalms, ‘Out of the mouth of babes, God ordains strength.’ Even young children can be remarkably wise, and they give us reality checks every day.

15. They keep us humble

Toddlers especially tend to ask their parents questions. LOTS of questions. They’re often the same ones over and over, but sometimes they’re hard questions about the meaning of life or a similar topic, and we don’t always have the answers.

16. Their optimism

More often than not, kids walk on the sunny side of the street and like to believe the world is their oyster and wonderful things will happen to them.

17. They keep us focused

Some days we just want to quit our jobs and go lie on a beach somewhere. Children remind us of our responsibilities and keep us from doing silly, impulsive things.

18. They keep life interesting

Finding a snake in the bathtub or discovering that a child gave the dog a haircut may not be what we had in mind today, but these types of events certainly do keep life interesting!

19. They are compassionate

If kids had their way, there would feed all the starving children in third-world countries and adopt every homeless pet. Their compassion for those who are downtrodden or struggling is undeniable.

20. They’re noisy

We may not be thankful for this now, but when they’re grown and gone, we miss the chaos. A lot.

21. They’re unique

They’re so much like their parents, yet each one is still their own individual person with unique (and loveable) traits.

22. They’re beautiful

Big nose or little nose. Freckles or fair. Athletic or klutzy. Brainy or artsy. Serious or funny. All kids are beautiful-in their own ways.

23. They give us purpose

If kids are a part of our lives, wouldn’t our days be a whole lot emptier without them to fill it up? Knowing who their parents are and where they come from can give our children purpose too.

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Resources

Mercola, Dr. Joseph. “How Hugging Makes You Healthier and Happier.” Mercola.com. Dr. Joseph Mercola, 6 Feb. 2014. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. <http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/02/06/hugging.aspx>.

“Be the Motivation Your Kids Need.” P&G. Procter & Gamble, 22 Sept. 2015. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. <http://www.pgeveryday.com/family-life/family-bonding/article/12-ways-to-motivate-your-children-inspired-by-moms-of-olympians>.

Hitti, Miranda, and Louise Change, MD. “Holding Hands May Reduce Stress.” WebMD. WebMD, 20 Dec. 2006. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. <http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20061220/holding-hands-may-reduce-stress>.

Paternity Fraud: the Tough Realities Men must Face

by HOMEDNA on 10/25/2021

With the wide availability of affordable paternity test kits online and at the local drugstore, more and more men today are making the choice to find out if the children they’ve been supporting are truly theirs. There’s no doubt about it: DNA testing has been a game-changer in the child-support landscape. The she said/he said arguments about who fathered a child are now completely irrelevant, right? Not necessarily.

First: Some Paternity Test Stats

The AABB (American Association of Blood Banks), which accredits DNA testing labs, released its findings about paternity testing in a landmark 1999 report. The report states that 30 percent of DNA paternity tests nationwide turn out negative.

The tidal wave of outrage at this report’s findings started out as a rather small ripple, but has grown bigger and bigger in the 17 years since . . . and with good reason. As more men have questioned paternity they are finding that, despite DNA evidence disproving a biological connection and that paternity fraud is recognized and handled as a criminal offense, the courts are not always willing to let these men off the financial hook.

What’s been happening in Court

CASE #1

For years, singer Ne-Yo, of California, paid child support to an ex-girlfriend for a boy she claimed was his. A DNA paternity test eventually proved he wasn’t the biological father. But because the state of California considers any man to be the father if he puts himself out there as one, the mother can come after that man financially as if he were the biological father (Jones).

CASE #2

In 2010, the California Supreme Court refused to review a tough court decision for homeless man Hari Wilburn. Way back in 1991, Wilburn was named as the father of a five-year-old child, even though he was never properly informed by the state. He was subsequently ordered to pay child support. Despite the fact that a 2008 paternity test excluded him as a possible father and that he never acted as father to the child, the court stated that the mother was entitled to back child-support payments in the tens of thousands of dollars (Crouch). You can read the opinion here.

CASE #3

Pennsylvania resident Mike L. was the subject of a heart-wrenching New York Times article back in 2005, when the tidal wave of paternity fraud awareness was really starting to grow. Mike divorced his wife, the mother of his daughter, when he discovered an affair and a paternity test proved the child wasn’t his. He paid child support and nurtured his parental relationship for years even though he was not his daughter’s biological father. He continued to dutifully pay support until his ex decided to marry the man whom she claimed was the biological father. Mike filed to end his financial obligations to his daughter since the biological father would now be in the household. He ultimately discovered he loved the girl so much he couldn’t deny legal paternity and risk losing all contact with her (Padawer).

What Can Men Do to Protect Against Paternity Fraud?

Padawer’s article mentions that state statues and case law vary widely, but that many judges-as is evident in the cases mentioned above-decide that men (whether they are married to the mother or not) must continue supporting their children, no matter what the results of a paternity test may show. If a man has any doubts whatsoever about whether or not he is the father, he should consult with an attorney to determine how best to proceed. Unmarried men may choose not to sign an acknowledgment of paternity or birth certificate and let the determination of paternity be made through the courts.

The Bottom Line

Paternity fraud is real, but society and the courts are demonstrating that the very definition of fatherhood is changing. The emotional ties between a man and the child are just as important as the biological relationship, and both connections have weight in legal paternity decisions, including child support. Meanwhile, do you have doubts about paternity? Don’t wait: Get a paternity test NOW.

What do you think about this controversial topic? Share in the comments!

Resources

Crouch, Harry. “California Men’s Centers, San Diego.” California Mens Centers San Diego RSS. California Men’s Centers, 29 July 2010. Web. 19 Jan. 2016. <http://www.californiamenscenters.org/wordpress/?cat=8>.

Hertz, Frederick. “How to Establish Paternity.” Nolo.com. Nolo, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016. <http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/living-together-book/chapter7-4.html>.

Jones, Deja. “The Harsh Realities Of Paternity Fraud.” MadameNoire RSS. Moguldom Media Group, 12 Aug. 2015. Web. 19 Jan. 2016. <http://madamenoire.com/577695/are-you-the-father-paternity-fraud-black-men/>.

Padawer, Ruth. “Who Knew I Was Not the Father?” The New York Times. The New York Times, 21 Nov. 2009. Web. 19 Jan. 2016. <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/22/magazine/22Paternity-t.html?pagewanted=all>.

What is Junk DNA and How Does it Affect my Paternity Test?

by HOMEDNA on 10/18/2021

If you’re going to do a DNA paternity test, no doubt you’re doing a little research ahead of time. Most people do, so that they’ll better be able to understand their results and trust that the science giving answers to their very important question is sound. As a top paternity testing lab, one of the questions we often get asked goes something like this:

“I’ve heard that junk DNA is used in this test and that worries me. What is it and why don’t you use the good DNA?”

That’s a really good question and DNA science can sometimes seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s a quick and simple explanation of the two main types of DNA: coding DNA and junk DNA, and why the junk type is used for paternity testing.

Coding DNA vs. Junk DNA

Coding DNA: A human being’s genome consists of a whopping 3.42 billion nucleotides, all wrapped up neatly in 23 pairs of linear chromosomes. Yet only 2% of these genes code for proteins that serve a specific function such as determining our eye color, how tall (or short) we are, the color of our skin, the size and shape of our nose, or whether we have blonde or red hair.

Junk DNA: That leaves 98% of genes that seem to have no practical function at all and is what has been, unfortunately, coined ‘junk DNA.’ For decades scientists didn’t know what it was for, and so it was assigned this unflattering name. All this matter was scattered throughout cells, seemingly at random and with no purpose. More recent research has determined that 9-80% of this type of DNA may serve a regulatory function for the genome and so really isn’t junk at all. The extent of how much these genes serve an important purpose is still in dispute in the scientific community, but the possibilities for further discovery are exciting, even if it takes decades more to reach a consensus. The “junk” name has stuck, but most scientists now prefer to call it “non-coding DNA.”

Why is Junk DNA Used for Paternity Testing?

By nature, genes are susceptible to mutation. A mutation is simply a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence found in most people. A mutation can be inherited or it can be acquired through environmental factors.

Back when reliable DNA testing was in its infancy, scientists discovered that the mutation rate in junk DNA is low. Since a child inherits half their DNA from each parent and that is true of both coding and junk DNA, using the junk variety (with fewer mutations) for paternity testing makes sense. Because a paternity test uses non-coding DNA, results can only determine identity and biological relationship and cannot tell anything else about an individual, such as their eye color.

The Bottom Line

Identity testing using junk DNA is so reliable that it is the method employed by the FBI and other law-enforcement agencies for crime-fighting purposes. In the DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC) lab, which is the parent company of the Identigene brand, we test at least 20 genetic markers, which are the same as the FBI’s CODIS core loci, to ensure the most accurate test possible. Be wary of companies who do not test at least 20 genetic markers! Scientists are just beginning to learn more about so-called junk DNA and what its purpose(s) might be in the genome. It’ll be really interesting to see what discoveries will be made about it in the near future!

What is termed ‘junk’ really isn’t, is it?

BUY A PATERNITY KIT NOW

Sources

Benecke, Mark, Dr. Rer. Medic. “Coding or Non-coding, That Is the Question: Having Solved the Last Technical Hurdles to Extract DNA Information from Virtually Any Biological Material, Forensic Biologists Now Have to Ponder the Ethical and Social Questions of Using Information from Exonic DNA.” EMBO Reports. Oxford University Press, 17 June 2002. Web. 20 Oct. 2016. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1084155/>.

Hall, Stephen S. “Hidden Treasures in Junk DNA.” Scientific American. Nature America, Inc., 31 Aug. 2012. Web. 20 Oct. 2016. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hidden-treasures-in-junk-dna/>.

Makalowski, Wojciech, Ph.D. “What Is Junk DNA, and What Is It Worth?” Scientific American. Nature America, Inc., 12 Feb. 2007. Web. 20 Oct. 2016. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-junk-dna-and-what/>.

Robertson, Sally, M.D. “What Is Junk DNA?” News-Medical.net. AZO Network, 17 Nov. 2014. Web. 20 Oct. 2016. <http://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-is-Junk-DNA.aspx>.

“What Is a Gene Mutation and How Do Mutations Occur? – Genetics Home Reference.” U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Oct. 2016. Web. 20 Oct. 2016. <http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/mutationsanddisorders/genemutation>.

1. They’re inspiring.

2. They’re challenging.

3. They’re sincere.

4. They’re joyful.

5. They’re silly.

6. They’re determined.

7. They love to hug.

8. They’re forgiving.

9. They keep us going

10. They love holding hands

11. Their handmade gifts

12. Their little voices

13. Their tenderness

14. Their wisdom

15. They keep us humble

16. Their optimism

17. They keep us focused

18. They keep life interesting

19. They are compassionate

20. They’re noisy

21. They’re unique

22. They’re beautiful

23. They give us purpose

First: Some Paternity Test Stats

What’s been happening in Court

What Can Men Do to Protect Against Paternity Fraud?

The Bottom Line

Coding DNA vs. Junk DNA

Why is Junk DNA Used for Paternity Testing?

The Bottom Line

Nationally and Internationally Accredited.