Love /
Prevention of child abduction by Polish mother. [232]
I should say that I am not married to the mother, nor at present on the birth certificate
If only sex/family planning education contained some simple advice , such situations could be easily avoided.
Namely:
-> Before having unprotected sex, at least consider the possibility of this resulting in a child. Think carefully and discuss with your partner if you are happy with the idea you may have a child together and the responsibilities that go with that
-> Ensure you have a long term stable relationship with appropriate family network. Children are hard work and expensive. Fixing 'mistakes' or custody cases in court is expensive and emotionally difficult.
In neo-liberal 'anything-goes' Britain,values of the 1940's and 1950's seem to have been forgotten. The cost to society of the absence of any morals is significant- research concerning the impaired life outcomes for children of single parents is particularly saddening.
The RC church is very easily attacked, but
some of their ethical standpoints concerning marriage are surprisingly valid. You don't have to be a religious zealot to have some basic common sense...
As for advice OP. in your mess, hire the best lawyers you can afford and hope for the best.