Coalition party wants to an end to 'father unknown' option

Right to know for children

THE HAGUE - Junior member of the ruling Dutch coalition, the Christian Union, is pushing for the mandatory registration of fathers on birth certificates. The party wants to put a stop to people simply ticking off the ‘father unknown' choice.

Christian Union MP says that a child has the right to know who his or her father is. The party believes that not being able to find out who one's father is can lead to psychological and identity problems for the child and cause instability in those affected.

The CU’s call for what is being dubbed a paternity law comes in the wake of similar demands by OCAN, an organization representing the Dutch Caribbean community. It is relatively common for children born into this ethnic group to have no registered father. Every year, about 11,000 Dutch birth certificates include the entry 'father unknown'.