Hello ladies!
In this weeks class we are focusing on the images and perceptions of fatherhood, particularly in reference to teen fathers. I am sure many of us can agree that the outlooks are usually negative, however, there are teen fathers who do own up to their responsibilities or would like to. I found an article and a news report that involves a 17-year-old high school father who is fighting for full custody of his child. After receiving word that the ex-girlfriend was expecting a child, Christian Diaz and his family began preparing for the baby. Upon the birth of the child Diaz was denied access into the hospital room because the mother exclaimed he was not the father. After petitioning the courts for a DNA test, Diaz was proven to be the biological father. Diaz's 6-month-old son was put up for adoption against his will due to a lack of communication between him and the ex-girlfriend. Diaz did not give his consent for the adoption and he refuses to give up his rights without a fight.
"Other teen-age fathers don't want to be in their baby's life, but I do," he said. "I don't know of many other 17-year-old unmarried fathers who are not afraid of publicly saying, 'Yes, that's my son. I will take responsibility for raising him because I love him, and he belongs with me.'"
This particular case can be of shock to many being that there are not many fathers who show concern when deciding whether to parent a child or not. Also several teen fathers in particular or fathers to be, usually do not feel they are ready to take on the role of parenting and object to the mother continuing on with the pregnancy.
Other than the few reasons I have given, what are some other reasons why this case is surprising? Also do you think this father will be successful in gaining custody? Why or why not? Check out the links below to see the full story to help answer the previous questions.
-Tiffany Williamson
http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/investigations/112047419.html
http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/112524214.html
I was in shock reading this article summary! Most teen fathers first deny that they are the father of a child, but this young man wanted to PROVE that he was the childs father, which comes as a shock to me. The other thing that shocks me is how the childs mother denies that he is the father knowing full well that there was a possibility and then goes and gives the child up for adoption without giving him a say-so in the matter. What shocks me even more is how she is so emotionally detached from the whole situation. If the father and his family prepared for the child then that should have gave her a little courage to take on her responsibilities. Even if she still didn't, she knew that he wanted to be involved in this child's life and should have given him the option to do just that.
ReplyDeleteprevious comment above by Seqwinya Stevens
ReplyDeleteI think it is great what he is doing! I was very surprised as well reading this. In most cases it’s the other way around and it's so nice hearing a different side of the story for once. Maybe because he took action, others will follow. If Christian is ready for the responsibilities and wants to care for his son, I definitely think he should win the custody of his son. Obviously, he cares more about the baby than the mother does. I am proud of what he is doing and I think he deserves the rights to his own child. I really liked this article, and I think it gives hope to others who might hear or read about this article.
ReplyDeleteMolly Ewigman
This article almost made me cry. I think it's devastating when we have someone taking responsibility for the decisions they have made in difficult situations and that person is denied the right to do so. What really made me angry was that the mother of this boy's child denied him the right to even be there for the birth. Proven by her further actions to put the baby up for adoption without his consent, clearly she has an issue with the father but realizes that he is the dad. So by her denying him the right of seeing his own child born, she has taken away this once in a lifetime opportunity. I also don't really understand all of the rules for adoption, but I wonder how it was even possible for her to put the child up for adoption without the father's consent? Though we don't know the background of the relationship with the father and mother of the child, in this case I think it irrelevant because the father and his parents were willing to give care to this child in what we can only assume was a healthy and appropriate setting. Great job on this article, Tiffany and I am glad you brought to light one case of a father who is going against what we usually see teen fathers doing.
ReplyDelete-Rachel Mitts
I find this article to be really fascinating! In a time when it is not only common but expected for young men to deny their paternity and leave the mother alone, this young man wants to stand up and be accounted for. Good for him! I was also interested in the obviously bad relationship between him and his exgirlfriend. I do wonder what could have happened that would cause her to deny his paternity and then give the child up without consulting him, but I think it is wonderful that he is fighting for his right to keep the baby. I truly hope he is successful, someone who has the drive to fight for his right to parent his child surely has the ability to do so properly
ReplyDelete~Megan Moore