Topic : 12/25 Parent Trap

I just saw the Paternity Fraud episode on "Dr. Phil."  I agree with Cornell Smith 100%.  While it's always important to keep the best interests of the child in mind, far too many people like Gloria Allred use "the best interests of the child" as an excuse to deflect from placing blame where it belongs in paternity fraud cases: the women/mothers who knowingly deceive their spouses and children.  The fact that Ms. Allred all but refused to lay blame at the feet of Maria, the deceiving mother in this case, while trying to berate Enrique for doing what he felt was best for himself and Selena (while indirectly trying to place the fault on his shoulders in the process), was absolutely mind-boggling.  How dare she try to dress down a man who every acknowledges (including his ex-wife) was deceived!?  Is there any wonder why feminism has such a negative connotation today?

My heart goes out to young Selena.  At the same time (and I'm glad Dr. Phil reiterated this point), Enrique is also a victim in all this.  As far as I'm concerned, he shouldn't have had to "wait until coming to Dr. Phil," as Ms. Allred admonished that he should have, before telling his (non-biological) daughter the truth.  As painful as it was, I believe he had every right to do what he did, and Selena had a right to know the truth: that her mother knowingly deceived both of them.

In addition, where is the child's REAL biological father?  And why isn't Maria going after HIM for child support?  Probably because he may not be as financially well-off as her ex-husband, Enrique, which is usually the case in paternity fraud:  Deceiving mothers almost always pen paternity on a man, be it husband, boyfriend, or one night stand, who's got money in the bank - even though he may NOT be the biological father.

The whole issue is very sad, but I believe Enrique did the right thing.

AGree 100%. We can not help what is already done, but we can stop it from happening to any more children!

I just finished watching Dr. Phil Show re: Parent trap.  I am a single, African American female with no children.  Boy this show really made me mad.  I was on the side of the scammed father, UNTIL he attempted to remedy the situation by tellilng Selina he was not her father.  I understand his feeling of betrayl but to go after a CHILD, who is totally innocent in this situation was more than just poor judgement.  HE WAS HURT and because he didn't have the balls to hack it out with the person he was really angry with, - the wife; he dispaced his anger onto a child.  HE HAD TO KNOW THIS WOULD ADVERSLY AFFECT HER.  This is why you never do things when you're angry. You calm down first because once spoken, it cannot be unspoken.  It's true, the sins of the fathers are revisited on the sons (daughter in this case).  I felt, intentional or not, the wife should not hold the father liable.  The REAL father needs to be contacted and life should go on.  Had he not told Selina he wasn't her father, I'd say let them visit each other if they both agree.  In this case, what Selina wants should prevail.  BUT I was even MORE ANGERED by the guy who advocates for men to not pay child support.  HE wasn't married to his girlfriend.  He stated that he was the victim, however, when he decided to have sex with his girlfriend without taking PROPER PRECAUTIONS, HE KNEW HE DIDN'T WANT TO BE A FATHER, I doubt that he felt anything like a victim when he decided to have unprotected sex.  We all know, that having sex can lead to pregnancy - don't want to be bothered?  Go see a hooker.  Even with a condom, pregnancy is possible so, have sex ONLY with those you don't /won't mind being the mother of your child.  Most of these so called men arent there to raise them, the lease they can do is pay child support.  I am sick and tired of EVERYTHING BEING THE FAULT OF THE WOMAN.  How about the MAN being responsible for himself?  Don't get me wrong, Selina's mom was at fault.  She was married and she knew what she'd done.  But with that other man, GET A LIFE.  If you want to have unprotected sex with women, and not be responsible for possible pregnacy outcomes, then start saving your money for paternity tests to exonerate yourselves.  She's the one carrying the child.  You pay to find out if it's yours or not, OR if both agree, pay to get rid of it.  But ALL THOSE WHO ARE INVOLVED,  HAVE TO PAY.  The way each pays may be different but you pay nonetheless.   

I sounded like to me on the show that the father thought there might be  a chance the girl was not his, even though the mother said she never told him she would not look like him so he should have done a test AFTER she was born since he did not and the child thought he WAS her father all these years then he took the role of her father and thats all she knew! Yes the mother was wrong but he took the role of her father so how could he tell her and STOP seeing her how dare a father do that!! If he had an idea she was not his and done nothing then he should pay. someone needs to be financial responsible for this child.

anyway you look its not the girls fault! HE NEEDS TO BE A FATHER AND A DAD!,he is all she ever knew.