Addressing Paternity Fraud in Jamaica: Legal Reform, Socioeconomic Determinants, and Policy Interventions in a Postcolonial Context

Abstract

Paternity fraud in Jamaica represents a legally ambiguous and socially embedded phenomenon that challenges existing frameworks of family law, justice, and social policy. While global estimates of misattributed paternity vary, evidence suggests that rates are influenced by socioeconomic inequality, cultural norms, and institutional gaps. In Jamaica, the issue is further complicated by informal family structures, economic marginalisation, and limited enforcement of legal safeguards. This paper critically examines the structural drivers, legal deficiencies, and social consequences of paternity fraud using a multidisciplinary policy lens. Drawing on sociological theory, legal analysis, and public health perspectives, the study evaluates how misattributed paternity affects men, women, and children differently. It argues that the absence of mandatory verification mechanisms and clear legal remedies contributes to systemic injustice. The paper proposes a comprehensive policy framework that integrates legal reform, social protection, and public education. Ultimately, it contends that addressing paternity fraud requires balancing biological truth, social fatherhood, and child welfare within Jamaica’s unique socio-legal context.