Share

OPINION: Are children ever illegitimate, and isn't it time to dump this outdated term for good?

accreditation
"It’s a term that's stigmatising, and unfairly so"
"It’s a term that's stigmatising, and unfairly so"

'Black Coffee allegedly fathered two illegitimate children' 

This recent headline that got the team at Parent24 thinking: Are children ever illegitimate?

After some conversation, I decided to investigate the term, to see if it's ever ok to use it, and what it really means - both legally and in our society.

A trip back in time

To find a way to answer this question, I did some research, starting with the legalities.

According to SAFLII, in South Africa, "the children born of unions not formalised by marriage have traditionally been described as 'illegitimate' children". This refers only to children born "from a union or relationship not solemnised by a legally recognised marriage ceremony."

Back in medieval times, these children were considered illegitimate even if the parents got married later on.

Additionally, children who were born during a marriage that was later annulled were also then considered illegitimate.

Another meaning of the word illegitimate is "not authorised by the law; not in accordance with accepted standards or rules", from the Latin for 'not lawful'.  

All of this is relevant because in a patriarchal society it meant that the children of these unofficial unions could not inherit from their fathers, unless they were clearly named in a will.

On the flip side, their fathers had no rights to access, custody or guardianship. 

Please note that at no point do these children have any say in the matter.

Societal norms

Why does it matter? 

Labelling a person as unlawful creates an environment that allows discrimination, marginalisation, and even abuse to thrive.

Parents who want to alienate their child's other parent can use this term to discredit any claims to access, or for support, for example. 

Illegitimate children may be bullied as such, or be seen as a disgrace, and the term can be used to denigrate them. 

Additionally, the fear of this stigma can force two people to get married, to avoid their child being labelled this way, even if they're incompatible and unhappy together. This isn't the best situation for the child either. 

As a society though, we've come a long way and while this alienation and bullying is happening hopefully less and less, the term should really be done away with.

Impact on parental rights

Our law now also specifically protects children who are born to unmarried parents, making the term even more unnecessary.  

According to Lisa Anders of LAW FOR ALL a significant element effected by legitimacy is parental rights.

She told Parent24 that legitimacy matters usually concern either a child’s inheritance, or the matter of obtaining support payments from a father who refuses to acknowledge his paternity.

The common law position on children born outside of marriage was confirmed by the Children’s Status Act 82 of 1987 and provides that the mother of a child born outside of marriage has sole custody and guardianship of that child unless there is a court order directing otherwise, Anders explained. 

"Despite the increased recognition afforded to biological fathers as legal parents," she said, "the Children's Act still does not treat fathers on the same basis as mothers as far as the automatic allocation of parental responsibilities and rights is concerned."  

Right to inherit

The Intestate Succession Act however makes provision for illegitimate children to inherit, she told us.

"They are entitled to inherit from Deceased Estates whether there is a will making provision for such and/or whether there is no valid will," Anders said.

"Therefore, if there is evidence that a child is in fact a blood relation of the Deceased, the child will have a definite right to inherit."

"The use of legitimacy is largely outdated within in our current legal frame work, but does impact the rights of biological fathers," Anders said. 

Maintenance stigma 

Much of the world has happily moved away from outdated European practices, and South African laws are among the most progressive, and protective of children, in the world. 

Here and now, all that needs to happen for a child to legally claim financial support from a father is his acknowledgement of the child as his own, or a paternity test if this is in dispute. 

South Africa's maintenance courts are buckling under the pressure of thousands of child support claims, though, as parents try to duck their responsibilities.

While it's not unheard of for a mother to avoid supporting her child, the majority of cases involve absent fathers. 

Calling children in these cases 'illegitimate' does nothing for their cause, in fact it only stigmatises them further. 

Updating the law

As recently as 2003 the Cape High Court ruled that the paternal grandparents of a child born to unmarried parents have a legal duty to support that child. 

Justice Burton Fourie ruled that the distinction between the duty of support of grandparents towards children born to married parents vs that of unmarried parents "constitutes unfair discrimination on the ground of birth and amounts to an infringement of the dignity of such children." 

The African village 

Furthermore, in an African country like ours, where we proudly raise our children as a village, does deeming a child unlawful make any sense?

In some parts of Africa the acknowledgement of paternity is enough for a child to be incorporated into the father's family. 

In Xhosa culture, the payment of isondlo achieves the same result.

The isondlo amount is is calculated based on the negotiated value of three cows, divided into three parts. One part is used for child support, and the child's maternal grandparents are given the other two parts as an acknowledgment of 'damages'.  

Once this payment has been made, and all parties are in agreement, the child can take the father's surname. 

In cases like this, it is not a requirement that the parents must be married, and once a child has been acknowledged by the father, the child belongs to the father's family. 

Single parents 

What about children born of IVF to a single parent? Are these children born illegitimate because their father has not acknowledged them? 

What about abandoned children? 

Surely many will agree that the term doesn't apply here, but why wouldn't it then? Technically? 

There are clearly a number of reasons this term is problematic. 

In the press

In 2012 the AP Stylebook added the term "illegitimate child" to its online version. The book advises against using the term, suggesting instead "the child, whose mother was not married" or "whose parents were not married," be used, and only if key to the story. 

"It’s a term that's stigmatising, and unfairly so," deputy standards editor at the AP and one of the Stylebook editors, David Minthorn, said at the time.

Children are never illegitimate

Closer to home, News24 Chief Sub-editor Glenn Bownes also feels very strongly about the use of the term.

"Apartheid was illegitimate. Saying a child shouldn't exist is illegitimate. Shaming mothers who happen to be unmarried (for whatever reason) is illegitimate. Children are NEVER illegitimate.

"The term (or slur) has been banned at News24" he says. 

I agree. As eye catching as that Black Coffee headline is, the fact that the children's parents aren't married isn't the actual scoop here. 

So let's agree to forget this archaic term, and continue to move forward as a progressive society.  

Chat back:

Share your story with us, and we could publish your mail. WhatsApp: Send messages and voicenotes to 066 010 0325. Anonymous contributions are welcome.

Sign up for Parent24's newsletters.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE