Topic : 12/25 Parent Trap

If I were a Court Judge, I would deny any DNA test if, for one day in the life of the baby, the father had acted as the responsible father.  If he had ever held the baby as his own, for the next 18 years he should be responsible. The baby deserves two parents, emotionally, physically, and financially.  I think DNA tests should not be considered in these cases, unless it is in the best interest of the child.  There is definitely a place for DNA testing, but not to contend the future of an innocent child.  Ignorance is bliss in this case.

One thing I noticed during this whole process was the fact that the "father" in question was pointed out as being the one concerned with the Child Support. And yet the mother, who was so worried about her daughter never once said "Ok tell ya what I want what is best for my daughter, keep your money and stay away!" I will say the "Father" in this case did make several mistakes in the way he handled himself and the whole issue.

As for the famous Female attorney, lol she never addressed a single issue. She stumbled around the issue, talking about the child. Never once, that i saw cited a Legal point! The male attorney sitting in the audiance had more to say about the law than the one on the stage.

No man, or woman should have to pay support for a child that is not theirs, unless they agree to it in court. 

Our judicial system is broken when it comes to this issue, as well as many others. And needs to be fixed!

Just a suggestion, but why not test for paturnaty upon birth. They baby gets all kinds of shots, as well as other blood checks. Make it a law that upon birth a child is tested for relationship to said childs parents! Then this 30% nation wide issue would not happen.

Just my thoughts

That is a bunch of garbage.  She duped him for ten years then goes on national television to show how cunning she is???  He should be able to sue her to get his money back.  I will agree that the man should have handled the situation differently.  He should continue to count her as his child but not

have to be required to pay child support, especially since they were not still a united family at that

time.  "The Gloria" showed her butt by trying to railroad the conversation and tried many times to

stiffle the man who had been victimized in the very same way.  If, as she said, the money is not important, LET HER PAY THE CHILD SUPPORT.  I feel all she really wanted to do in the first place is to be on television...to keep herself in the spotlight..... and to hawk, or have Dr. Phil, hawk her book.

It is real and way too common!! I personally know at least 2 women that have dupped their husbands or boyfriends. The system is disgusting and child support is NEVER done in "the best interest of the child" it is decided with the best interest of the government that collects dollar for dollar.

Men who father children are not criminals anymore than the irresponsible women who have a choice whether or not bring them into the world. There should be clear laws in place protecting men and children from paternity fraud...not too mention there should be reproductive rights for men in place as well!

I do not believe that men should be  forced to finance a womens reproductive choice!

 Step up ladies its time we accept responsiblity for ourselves!!!! ~Sarah (MA)

Dr Phill

You talk about owning it. The Mother is responsible for this mess. As long as people keep massing the situation with the kids, this problem will continue. The mother should be made to repay some part of the the child support back, make her find the real father and tell him. As long as she gets away with it, it will continue to happen. As you seen on the show she kept a smile on her face, because she knows that nothings going to happen to her, yes he should have handle it different. If you found  out that your son wasn't yours and your wife knew, you wouldn't just Oh! I will just continue to paying and pretend that nothing was wrong and she should pay. I have a friend that her mother did the same thing, but didn't tell until child support was over, believe it are not they joke about it, and she turn around and did the same thing to her child. So please Dr Phill say more than he is a victim, try saying she rape him, when it is all said and done, she should suffer some. Yes I know the kid is important, but if you don't punish the mother it will continue...

I could not believe what I was hearing ~ come on, their is no way a man should have to pay for a child that is not his. Unless of course he chooses to. Women who lie or better yet who fail to reveal that they had an affair should be held responsible for their decisions not the man. They are the ones who are emotionally hurting both the child and the man and should be ordered to pay back the money!

Dr. Phil, I watched your show today, which this is the show I assume that your staff had interviewed a very good friend of mine from Michigan to potentially be on your show.  I do not know why you stopped persuing him being on your show.  I can only think that what was going on with him and his paternity issue just wasn't going to make good TV.  Dr. Phil, normally, I agree with most all of what you say.  But here, a very dear friend of mine found out when his son was at the age of 5 that he was the father.   The mother was married, and assumed that her (at the time) soon to be husband was the father.  As time passed by, it was obvious that my friend was indeed the father, and the man she married was not.  My friend holds no Ill will against the natural mother...but has fought and fought through the state of Michigan just to have rights...ANY rights to his son.  I agree this is a horrible situation all the way around...but the court not only took away custody from the natural mother, but gave custody to the "named father" on the birth certificate...and then the Michigan court system had the audacity to order my friend to pay support....but gave him ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHTS TO HIS BIOLOGICAL SON. 

You tell me how that is fair?  You tell me how ANYONE can justify such a decision.  The cold hard reality is, there is not a proper system in place in our country to address these ongoing issues...you said the child was important...you are right....but I am sorry, justification of forcing a father to pay for a child that is not biologically his IS NOT RIGHT.  It is also not right for a man to cut that child out of his life IF a bond has been formed....

But, answer how a biological father should not have rights to be a part of his sons life...but be ordered to pay support and have the court tell him "sorry buddy, your s.o.l." 

(and on a side note, here is a man who is WILLING to pay and be a father, when there are MANY fathers who do not accept responsibility financially for their children...and the court does not inforce ANYTHING.  I myself have a situation where the father of my children owe me over 20,000...my oldest son is 7, and my daughter is 5.  I have had to file bankrupsy, and my children have gone without for YEARS.  What does the court do?  Nothing!!!!!

I know certain reality must not make good tv, but fairly address the injustice that does go on in this country!