Search for 'hidden' fathers: 'We know nothing about these men'

Perhaps it was disinterest or even total ignorance. At other times, they were actively obstructed: the fathers of the 15,000 children who were given up for adoption between 1956 and 1984. In the investigation into the mothers of these children, the men who have fallen off the radar are now also being called upon.

"We actually know absolutely nothing about them," says historical pedagogue Nelleke Bakker of the University of Groningen. "We don't even know how many fathers in this group actually wanted to be involved in their child's upbringing. Whether they experienced lifelong grief, or whether they still want to get to know their child."

To the authorities, the men didn't even exist at the time. "They were called 'procreator' instead of 'father'. As if it really was just about that sperm. The father was kept secret, just as the child was kept secret. Swept under the rug."

Protestant Johan (19) was no longer allowed to see his Catholic girlfriend when she became pregnant:

There were many reasons to keep the father away. In Johan's case, it involved religious objections. Often, girls were also still too young to marry. Or there were material reasons: "At that time, women had to stop working after marriage, especially if there was a child. Then the father needed to have a substantial income."

We do not know what share those groups have of the total. We have no insight into it. That is why we are so eager to speak to those men.

We now live in a time when we consider the father to be important for raising children. Therefore, we believe it is important that birth fathers also play a role in the research.

Taboo

More than 400 reports have now been received at the Ministry of Justice’s Surrender and Adoption registration point, which launched in early October. The period being investigated runs from the year adoption was legally regulated until the moment abortion became legal. At that time, girls often felt great pressure to give up a child, because pregnancy outside marriage was taboo.

Perhaps the fathers who were never able to be fathers will still be able to establish contact with their child through this research. For this, they can turn to the Fiom foundation in Den Bosch, for example, which specializes in unwanted pregnancies and questions of parentage. Bakker: "Fiom is helpful in this regard, but it will depend on the child. I think some will be very happy with it."