A father of a child may instinctively know to love and protect his child. But what about legal obligations? According to the Texas Family Code, a parent is obligated to do certain duties; these duties accompany their parental rights. These duties offer a certain guarantee to the child that the parent is obligated to meet certain criteria.
Of course, these duties are legally binding, but they will also most certainly benefit a parent’s relationship with their child. For one, while fathers have a right to custody or at least regular visits with the child, along with that right goes at least the moral responsibility to build a relationship with that child and to take appropriate legal action should he feel that the custody and visiting arrangement should be changed. Support means contributing to his son’s or daughter’s as well as being sure that the child gets both proper medical care and suitable education.
As listed above, the parent is responsible for the child in two ways. First, and most importantly, a parent is responsible for the child’s health and well-being. Also, the parent has the right to make certain decisions for the child that the parent deems are in the child’s best interest. Therefore, parental rights both shape the child and protect him or her from possible harm.
The duties of paternity should be heavily weighed and pondered before seeking legal custody. There are obligations that a parent must meet in order to fulfill their obligation to the child. Of course, love and protection are instinctual. However, the state of Texas has its own laws as to how a child must be cared for.
Source: statutes.legis.state.tx.us, “Section 151.001,” Accessed Nov. 16, 2014