Paternity Archives - Page 8 of 11

If You Don’t, Who Will?

by HOMEDNA on 01/24/2012

A recent news article stated one in 6 teen moms didn’t think they could become pregnant.

Can you think back to when you were a teenager? Do you also remember where you got your information about relationships, sex, and STDs? Most of us remember it coming from school and our peers. If our parents mentioned it, some of us probably told them to stop or our embarrassment tuned them out!

Tweens and teens today are much different than 20 years ago. If you have children in this age range, you have probably witnessed their embarrassment when you talk to them about these sensitive subjects. So whom do they listen to if they aren’t comfortable hearing it from us? Peers, teachers, social media sites, TV or radio? No doubt it’s ‘ALL THE ABOVE.”

A day in the life of a tween or teen is spent mostly in a controlled classroom and then when the bell rings, the ITouches, MP3 players, and cell phones turn on! They sing in the car, text their friends, watch music videos on YouTube and follow their favorite artists on Facebook and Instagram.

If you keep up with American Top 40, you know that Rihanna, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, LMFAO, and Flo Rida are most popular this week. Do you feel these artists have a responsibility to think about the younger generation ‘learning’ from their lyrics? There has been much Twitter talk about Jay-Z censoring his lyrics now that he has had a baby. The audience is split-some support the rumors that he will alter his lyrics and others don’t want his music to get ‘soft’. Recently, HBO actor and upcoming rapper, Tray Chaney, released a song entitled ‘Fatherhood.” In the lyrics he says, ‘I’d rather die than be that guy.”He wants more young adults to understand the meaning of fatherhood and seriousness surrounding their paternity responsibilities.

Basically, the opening statistic should motivate us to keep conversations open, often and real with our youth. The library has many books on the human body, human sexuality and pregnancy and childbirth. The American Academy of Pediatrics is also a good place to start. Good luck to us all! Knowledge is power.

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.

Survey Reveals Paternity Questions Loom for More Than 1 in 10 Americans

by HOMEDNA on 12/27/2011

An online survey was conducted with a random sample of 1,039 men and women aged 18+, all members of the Impulse Research proprietary online panel. The Impulse Research proprietary online panel closely watches US population demographics and the respondents are representative of men and women aged 18+. Research was conducted in December 2011. The overall sampling error rate for this survey is +/-3% at the 95% rate of confidence.

The survey, commissioned by IDENTIGENE , the largest direct-to-consumer DNA paternity testing laboratory and makers of the IDENTIGENE DNA Paternity Test, reveals that:

More than one in ten (11 %) adults ages 18 years and older said they have personally been in a situation where a paternity test was appropriate.
Nearly one in five (18%) said they or a close friend or family member have questioned paternity.

The results of the survey help to uncover the prevalence of paternity questions in the U.S., as well as adults’ intentions to identify biological fathers in the New Year.

51% of adults with paternity questions either plan to address their question in 2012 or would like to, but are not sure where to start.
Men with paternity questions are twice as likely (51%) than women (25%) to address paternity in 2012.

New Year prompts action

The research helps confirm a trend IDENTIGENE has noticed since it launched the IDENTIGENE DNA Paternity Test in retail pharmacies in 2007. Each year the company experiences a spike in first quarter sales: something it attributes, in part, to New Year’s resolutions.

‘The new year definitely seems to trigger many adults with paternity questions to take steps to address their question,’ says Steven Smith, Executive Director for IDENTIGENE . ‘We want adults with paternity issues to know they are not alone and there are many others looking for answers, too. But most importantly, it’s vital for them to know that addressing a paternity question is not only a responsible step to take, but a thoughtful and caring decision, as determining paternity can provide many valuable benefits for all involved.’

Why knowing paternity is important

Although the specific reasoning for paternity testing varies from person to person, the benefits of confirming paternity are multifaceted and far reaching. In the survey, three in four adults (77%) said they believe it’s important for a child to know their biological father.

Click here for tips from our clients on how to talk to a child about paternity testing.

From emotional and health benefits to financial welfare, paternity answers can have many important and positive impacts for children. ‘Knowledge is empowering,’ says Smith. ‘It’s important for children and families to know the truth about paternity, as it can impact a child’s health as well as their emotional health and well-being for years to come.’

If you have questions about paternity tests or other DNA testing services, please contact ourClient Support Center at 888-404-4363, Mon-Frifrom 9 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern Time. Our friendly, expert representatives are ready and happy to help.

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.

New Year prompts action

Why knowing paternity is important

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