Paternity in Denmark, c. 1900-2000

Inge Lehmann-programmet

PAID explores the history of the Danish welfare state’s involvement in establishing paternity. By developing a unique theoretical framework that examines the interplay between scientific ideas, technology, lived experiences, and welfare state practices, this project provides valuable comparative insights into the techno-political evolution of paternity within the Kingdom of Denmark. It highlights the differences in paternity establishment practices across Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland and their varying implications for men, women, and children. The project seeks to uncover how scientific advancements were translated into welfare administration and legal frameworks. Establishing paternity has far-reaching consequences for those involved while also raising societal and political ethical dilemmas: Who gets to be recognized as a father, and who gets to have a father? The answers to these questions have changed over time, particularly with the emergence of new reproductive technologies. PAID addresses pressing historical and contemporary societal concerns that remain highly relevant today.