This paper on January 9, reported the occurrence of a rare phenomenon in medical science —heteropaternal superfecundation.
A woman gave birth to a pair of fraternal twins, who had two fathers! The legal husband was certain about the paternity of only one child, and alleged his wife had an illicit relationship with one of his neighbours. The woman, on denial mode, consented to a DNA test to settle the matter, which proved that the man indeed was the biological father of only one child. The cornered woman later confessed that “she had sex with the neighbour within 48 hours of the first intercourse”.
This reminds me of the musical Mama Mia, based on the songs of ABBA, the popular music group of the 80s. The leading lady was to get her daughter married off. On the day of the wedding, three men claiming paternity converge to give their ‘daughter’ away in marriage. The mother, asked by the priest who the real father is, replies, “I’m not sure”.
Heteropaternal superfecundation, DNA testing to prove parentage, especially paternity (it’s always the poor guy who is required to prove parentage) or whatever, it’s a fact that marriages these days are brittle. Unhappy marriages, broken homes, unhappy children within the wedlock, are not uncommon. The most shocking phenomenon is the audacity with which women walk out of marriages, leaving her husband and children to fend for themselves. It is said “God couldn’t be everywhere, so He created mothers”. It seems this one creation has gone awry!
What’s wrong? Before the women pick up brickbats, let me concede that both partners are to blame. Fast life, professional pressure, financial abundance ensuring a ‘flashy lifestyle’, extinction of the joint family, waning spirituality and the two notorious modern-day villains—internet and ‘smart’(sic) phones—have bred infidelity and instilled the more damaging mistrust into marriages.
Statistics from family courts confirm skyrocketing divorce rates. Whatever be the reason, the onus is on the couples to save the marriage, whatever be the differences. They cannot afford to have their children suffer the collateral damage. Unhappy childhood breeds unhappy, aggrieved individuals, who in turn breed a sick and unsafe society.
A marriage is as demanding as a batsman having had to face Shane Warne in his heydays on a doctored pitch. You don’t know which way the next delivery’ll turn! But there’s always an answer—play with your head down and a straight bat.