Isn't it about time to know paternity?

In America, a child raised to maturity by it’s biological parents enjoys the best possible chance of achieving the hope of "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." I haven’t found a study that contradicts that outcome. My research also suggests that less than three in ten newborns will live with both biological parents until the age of eighteen. If a successful life is the American dream, then we should encourage families with both natural parents…a Mom and a Dad. IN NORTH CAROLINA WE DO NOT!

The intentions of our state, our laws (statutes), are clearly stated. The section concerning certificates of birth goes into great details about who prepares it, when it shall be prepared, surnames, husbands and putative fathers. There is even a subsection addressing a birth in a moving conveyance. In another section, the language of North Carolina’s birth certificates states: " If the mother was unmarried at all times from date of conception through date of birth, the name of the father shall not be entered on the certificate…". A man’s name may be placed  on an unmarried mother’s certificate of live birth sometime later but there are several administrative requirements. I’ve been thinking that, to some extent, North Carolina doesn’t want to know who fathers some of our children or who is responsible for helping them achieve their American dream. There are at least three questions that should be debated. What public policy is enhanced by not knowing who is the biological father of a child? What public good is expanded by not requiring the recognition of paternity? What advantages accrue to anyone who cannot, or will not, show paternity on a certificate of birth?

Birth certificates became a federal and state requirement around 1903. After over one hundred years it’s reasonable to ask questions. Was there an ethnic issue tied to not requiring paternity? Was there some sort of gender bias embedded? Was there a religious or orphanage/adoption reason? Do all states have the same or similar requirements? Whatever the original intent, is our policy appropriate for North Carolina in 2026 where genetic testing can determine identity with over 97% certainty?

Is genetic testing sufficient for the next fifty years? Science and the "I-ME" generations have combined to permit females with enough money to harvest their eggs, be implanted with donated sperm, and carry about one third of the babies to term. Who, then, is the biological father? Will a market emerge for "Influencer Sperm?" In our evolving matriarchal society, will there be a need for 20th century fathers?

Over the past century the North Carolina family has changed. More and more children are born outside of marriage or to unwed women. There is an increasing demand for health and social services for children. If public funds are to be used to assist in achieving the American dream, it seems to me that we should know who is the father. Paternity should require responsibility. If paternity cannot, or will not, be determined, that should be a significant factor in defining our state’s role on social oversight and involvement. Isn’t it about time for North Carolina to demand to know, "WHO’S THE DADDY?"