Good Social Policy—Fathers

A Professor David Barash, from the University of Washington, on sabbatical in Costa Rica, has a post up at The Chronicle of Higher Education, about a law in Costa Rica regarding the responsibilities of Fathers toward their offspring.

This law, the “Ley de Paternidad Responsable”, or Responsible Fatherhood Act, which went into effect in 2001, seems like a very good idea to me.

This law, the first of its kind anywhere in the world, identifies paternal obligations in terms of the right of children to know their fathers and to be supported by them and, in so doing, also removes some of the stigma for children born out of wedlock.  The landmark legislation established an entitlement procedure whereby single mothers could identify the father of their children, who would then bear his last name on their birth record, with each father held legally responsible for contributing to his offspring’s medical costs and child care until the child is 18 years old or 25 if the child is still in school.

If the named father disputes his involvement, there is mandatory DNA testing, paid for by the taxpayers.

Results include a decrease in deadbeat dads and a drop in the national birth rate.

I fully commend this concept to our Washington delegation.

And, if this turns out to be some sort of early April's Fool Day joke, it should be acted on here anyway, as sound social policy.

Regards  —  Cliff