About Fathers

Perspectives on fathers and their children

Journalist Paul Raeburn is the author of the soon to be published Are Fathers Necessary: The New Science of Fatherhood. He is also the author of the Fathers and Families blog. See full bio

February 10, 2009, Child Development

Comments on "Missing in the octuplets debate: Their father"

Missing in the octuplets debate: Their father

By Paul Raeburn on February 10, 2009 in About Fathers

The Suleman octuplets are the product of Nadya Suleman and a sperm donor. They don't have a father.

It's tempting to put it that way, isn't it? But of course they have a father. Will it trouble them that they might never know him? Read More

It's 14 not 16

Submitted by Robin on February 10, 2009 - 4:50pm.

Let's HOPE you don't know something we don't know or have a crystal ball.

Her mother said he wanted to marry her. Nadya says it's the same donor for all 14 and has named all the octuplets "Solomon"

I call foul.

octuplets father

Submitted by michelle on February 11, 2009 - 2:52am.

I definitely agree that many of the children will want to know who their father is. Two parents in their lives is vital to their pyscological growth. And with 16 children, there will be more problems than if she only had 1,2,or 3. Children need lots of attention and now they will only get it from their siblings. It's sad......

feeling human

Submitted by Becky on February 11, 2009 - 11:16am.

I imagine children who are in part the result of an anonymous sperm donor may have an even deeper biological urge to know or at least put a face to thier father. Although obviously as human as any child, the knowledge of having been born in a method detatched from sexual intimacy may foster a need in these children to realize the humanity behind thier unknown genetic composition.

child support???

Submitted by Lisa on February 12, 2009 - 12:37pm.

Do you think that this woman is smart enough to have planned all this, so that the sperm donor would not have to pay child support??? She knows the man, plans to have the man in the childrens life. Why not plan a life with him?

Family Court

Submitted by Bill Elliott on February 19, 2009 - 5:38pm.

Why is DAVID SOLOMON getting a pass? He should be served with paternity papers from Family Court like every other unmarried father in LA County. He knew what she was going to do with his; the method of "delivery" does not interest me in the least.

If he can be proven to be the legal father of each and every one of the 14, then he should be slapped with a child support order, pronto. It is HIS responsibility to support those kids, NOT THE TAXPAYERS.

The Mother is clearly mentally ill. Just removed the poor children from the home and send BOTH PARENTS a big fat bill every month for the next 18 or 20 years. NOT ME.