A Question of Paternity: The Intimate Journey of Unknown Origins Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Today we will discuss self-identity in the context of not knowing one's birth origins. How do social and familial circumstances shape our identities when we enter the world, and throughout our lives? In particular, what is the potential impact of not knowing the origins of your DNA, and the person who embodies it? Nuclear families, parents, guardians, and other immediate people in a child's life, often well-intentioned have withheld knowledge of children's birth identities. While it is more common for this to be a matter of paternity, children who are adopted, whose parents have died, or who otherwise live not knowing the origins of their birth, may also not know the identity of who gave birth to them. What are the reasons for this, and how does this ultimately impact the self-identity of children and adults? David Tereshchuk, author of "A Question of Paternity: My Life as an Unaffiliated Reporter", will share his insight and intimate experiences, seeking to find the identity of his father. His story is heartrending and one that will be deeply resonant for so many.