New Books in Science, Technology, and Society

Nara Milanich, "Paternity: The Elusive Quest for the Father" (Harvard UP, 2019)

Jan 4, 2025
Nara Milanich, a Professor of History at Barnard College, dives into her book, exploring how the understanding of fatherhood has transformed over time. She discusses the shift from behavioral definitions of fatherhood to the scientific certainty introduced by DNA testing. The conversation highlights paternity testing's historical context, particularly in Brazil, and its impact on social issues like inheritance and child support. Milanich emphasizes the cultural constructs of paternity and critiques the societal biases revealed through forensic technology.
Ask episode
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes