Child's Last Name at Birth if Parent Unwed

[lawaholic]

If a child is born to unwed parents, should the child have the mother's last name or the father's? This has been a highly debated issue within our family and among friends recently. What do you think?

[Mr. Knowitall]

Yes, on the whole, the mother's last name or the father's. Or both, if the parents can deal with a hyphen.

[jk]

If a child is born to unwed parents, should the child have the mother's last name or the father's? This has been a highly debated issue within our family and among friends recently. What do you think?

unless the father signs the AOP at the hospital, it is totally up to the mother. If he signs the AOP, it is up to the mother. The hospital is not going to get into an argument about what name goes on the BC and since they know who the mother is, that is who is going to control the issue. Dad has recourse through the courts if he is not happy with mom's decision.

[Dogmatique]

"Should"?

Well, there are many variables.

[lawaholic]

Yes, on the whole, the mother's last name or the father's. Or both, if the parents can deal with a hyphen.

This may very well be the best compromise; thanks for the suggestion! Initially, I felt like a child born to parents out of wedlock should bear the mother's last name until the two are married. However, many of my friends and family members disagree with me, saying that the child should always bear his father's last name, regardless of the state of the relationship that the parents have. Let's see how the suggestion of a hyphenated last name goes over at the next family gathering, ha ha!!

[jk]

I see no reason to put the fathers name on a child he has intentionally chosen to cause to be illegitimate unless the mother specifically chooses to do so.

[Browne]

The mothers name. If for any other reason, it can always be debatable as to who the father is. Who is the mother? That should be obvious.

[jk]

That should be obvious.

should be?