THE EDITOR, Sir:
REGARDING THE article in your June 17 publication about the Registrar General's Department, giving fathers the right to add their names to a child or children's birth certificate (s) : I think this is a wonderful idea and a step in the right direction.
This will no doubt give a child a sense of belonging just by knowing that they do have a father with a name and to be connected to this person.
So often mothers are afraid to give the name of the father for whatever reason. Instead the child is given her maiden name, causing the child to end up with a stigma attached to him or her in school.
NAMING BIOLOGICAL FATHER
The registration of all children should be mandatory whether they are born to married or unmarried mothers. In the event that an unwed mother refuses to name the biological father of that child, registration should be denied until she is ready and willing to comply with the information on the application.
It is also important that upon registration that the clerk at the Registrars office should make sure that the name is pronounced properly and spelled correctly.
It would eliminate having to go to the Registrar's office to fill out application for name changes and having to pay a fee to do so. In the long run making sure each 't' is crossed and an 'i' is not made to look like an 'e' can make a big difference when filling out any document.
I am, etc.,
VIVETTE WILSON
yvonnewilson2005@yahoo.com
Havendale
