A father's role in the family has been defined in various ways throughout the history of the United States. Today the line is skewed, as more often the establishment of paternity becomes a difficult process no longer defined by the old standards of marriage or adoption.

This text discusses the changes in paternity laws over time and the ways in which each era's societal norms have been reflected in those laws. Custody, legitimacy, adoption and paternity are examined from a legal standpoint. Child support, visitation scheduling and third party parenting and visitation rights are also discussed, as are current trends that affect paternity laws. Major cases, statutes and model acts that exemplify changes in paternity laws are listed in three appendices.

221 pp, softcover, tables, glossary, appendices, bibliography, index. 

       

Excerpt
"A father’s roles in the United States have always been complex. Those roles have become even more complex as society and technology have changed. ...

"As family forms change, the law struggles to keep pace."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgments vii
List of Tables xi
Preface xiii
Introduction: The History of Paternity Law and Customs 1

1 Fathers and the Family 9
2 Legitimacy, Paternity, and Practicality 33
3 Custody 56
4 Adoption 82
5 Reproductive Issues 103
6 Balancing the Rights of Father, Mother, Child, and Society 126
7 Trends 140

Appendix A: Chronology of Important Legal Decisions 147
Appendix B: Statutes of Limitations for the Enforcement of Child Support in Every State 165
Appendix C: Paternity Support Retroactivity and Statutes of Limitations 169
Glossary 177
Bibliography 179
Index 191