'YOU ARE NOT THE FATHER OF THE CHILD!'

What would you do if your dear better half. Suddenly tells you that the child that called you PAPA, the child that you have sheltered, protected, paid his/her school fees ;is not your biological son/daughter ? What will be your reaction?
It is often said and rightly so, that only a woman can tell who is really the father of her child - well not exactly true - science pundits will say. DNA, No doubt, Offers a window for bewildered Papas who want a second opinion. Things will fall apart in any family shaken by a tsunami of a 'confession' like that . Most Papas I know would go through several phases as they try to grapple with the situation. Let's call it the biblical 'Joseph syndrome' . These reactions could range from disbelief to rage then self blame.
I am sure that was how biblical Joseph felt when he was informed that his betrothed Mary was with child. I know many Papas will send the woman parking along with her child in a blink of an eye . But wait a minute, I think there are other perspectives that Papas should consider. What happens to the child that calls you PAPA? Why should any child be made to suffer for a crime he/she knows nothing about?
I think as long as no long lost wannabe Papa has come forward with a claim to the child in question and even if he gathers the balls to come forward, he better come with concrete evidence and a convincing story for abdicating his responsibilities for years, there is no reason why you should not 'adopt' the child.( That is even if DNA results confirm what the wife said.) I believe the man who laboured all these years deserves a chance to reap from his labour dont you agree?
Then there is also the womans mental state to be considered. Maybe before any Papa jumps to a conclusion, there is a need to check her into a Phychiatric hospital to have her sanity ascertained. It is not out of place for people with mental disorder to make serious statements. A good example is the confession of being a witch or wizard by people who were later discovered to be mentally challenged.
What I am getting at in a nutshell is that Papas should handle cases like this intelligently and with a lot of wisdom. I am not downplaying the fact that such happenings are complex. I would rather have the cup pass me by than have to face such a daunting event that can put the best Papa's sense of restraint and wisdom to the test. Nonetheless, a word of advice to the Papa in that situation, 'you are not the first'. And there is nothing we can not get over, no matter how painful.