Because of heterosexual relationships in need of medical help conceiving and homosexual relationships continually wondering how to have a baby boy or girl in vitro fertilization (IVF) has always been an option. Most often than not, because of a parent and child’s instinct to stay connected, it becomes harder for a sperm donor not to become fond of their little one and then, in the end, decide to stay for good as their parent of course if the mother or guardian allows them to.

WHEN IS IT RIGHTFUL TO CALL SOMEBODY A FATHER TO A CHILD?

Technically, you’re a parent regardless if out of sperm donorship or natural ways of reproduction stands out when you take care of a child and does everything at his or her best interest. Besides mentoring the child with skills, you guide them into developing moral values, opinion, common sense, and emotions. Being a parent is not gauged whether you are connected by blood, but it should account more on how a child perceives you.

Some rulings can go as unfathomable as, if the mother donated of sperm at that time is unattached, then there’s no standing father, and so, the sperm donor rightfully becomes a legal parent. With new technology and fertility treatments being introduced such as IVF gender selection where the sperm donor needs to be more involved, this could also mean the donor may have more rights. It is believed to take years for this to be given a rightful claim.

And when we talk about years, we are looking at the time of conception to the present time considering the donor’s involvement in a child’s life. This is not just compartmentalised into visitations, or limited to gift-giving.

When you are a parent, you leave an impact on a kid’s life. You are considered an influence, an inspiration, and a guide. You are a source of knowledge, understanding, and will. The child seeks you when hard times arise. It may just be as simple as wanting your presence when it’s to go to the dentist. Or when a recital is up. Being a donor need not be drawn of a distinction as far as being a father.

LEGALLY SPEAKING, WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT A DONOR CAN BE THE FATHER?

Some states in America, like Pennsylvania, fatherhood relies on genetics. If by a DNA test, somebody was proven to be the father, regardless if he’s a donor or not, he becomes the legal biological father. But in California, a donor doesn’t necessarily mean he’s the father.

What’s going to be honoured may be the following:

1.    If the name written on the birth certificate is that of the donor’s.

2.    If the known donor had been there as part of the child’s life and the child recognises him as the father when he presents himself.

3.    An agreement signed upon by both the mother and donor, which specifies that the donor will take the role of the dad.

Depending on where you live and depending on the laws your territory imposes, these conditions are not the 100 per cent the basis of everything.

WHAT IS THE FINAL VERDICT?

Any judge will always consider the best interest of the child, and so would any good parent. If all court procedures are putting stress to the child, and if a parent isn’t convinced that he or she is rightful for custody because of a belief that somebody else may be, then the birth parent is most likely to cave. Usually, the sincerest parent would never want to hurt or put the child in a hard situation because the very essence of parenting is giving unconditional love. Every parent knows this whether they have become one by paper, or by will, by genes or by chance.

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