Final answer:
To establish legal fatherhood, signing an acknowledgment of paternity is essential, and DNA testing can be used to confirm a genetic link. The legal process grants fathers rights and is vital for children's well-being, with involved fatherhood being influential in shaping masculinity and identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
To establish legal fatherhood, various steps are needed depending on the jurisdiction, but commonly an acknowledgment of paternity (AOP) is required, which is a legal document that a father must sign to establish himself as the child's father. If the fatherhood is uncertain or disputed, DNA testing can be a definitive method to establish it. The DNA fingerprint of the child must show a genetic match to both the mother and the father to confirm a biological relationship.
Establishing paternity can grant the father rights and responsibilities, including custody and visitation rights. A father's proximity to their children impacts the children's well-being, as shown by studies stating that boys who live with or have joint arrangements with their fathers show less aggression, and girls tend to be more responsible and mature. Fatherhood is integral in shaping a man's masculinity and identity, and being involved in childcare and forming emotional bonds is seminal, as observed in ethnographic research.