What if, because of DNA, you have have a "step bro" or"step sis"?

There were two sisters, who were recently reunited with each other, because of DNA searches.
There are a lot of people sending in swabs to get their DNA results. I'm not sure how I'd like my DNA "searched" for unknown relatives. How would you like it there was a knock on the door. And there was a person related to you by sharing your DNA. The DNA results confirm one of your parents was responsible for that other person.
 

Would it be a step? I would think it would be a half brother or sister. I wouldn't mind. I know my daddy had lots of girlfriends before he married my mother. Would not be surprised to hear that I had a half brother or sister some where else.
 
I 'found' a close relative that way. She had been back-door adopted as a new-born and was an adult before she learned she had been. She was 70+ when she tested so all principals long deceased. I shared all family data I had and also researched and discovered probable mother's family through other DNA matches. Personal relationship bumpy due to strongly opposing values and principles.

I've read that far more women do DNA testing than men. Is it because men don't really care or is it that they don't want surprises?
 
There were two sisters, who were recently reunited with each other, because of DNA searches.
There are a lot of people sending in swabs to get their DNA results. I'm not sure how I'd like my DNA "searched" for unknown relatives. How would you like it there was a knock on the door. And it was a "step-brother/sister" standing there, with DNA results?
I have a half sister I've never met. When I was younger, I worried about having a one nighter and finding out she was her.
 
I would not want a half brother or sister to show up at my door.
I grew up with my three brothers and we were close in age.
After all this time I don't think I could muster up warm feelings for a stranger.
 
Maybe, I misunderstood the meaning of "step brother/sister". The DNA results confirm one of your parents was responsible for that other person.

A step-brother/sister is what you'd have if one of your parents married someone who had a son/daughter- your step-parent's biological child, but not a blood-relative of yours.

To answer your question, though: actually, I'd thought of this subject occasionally in recent years, it's probably not likely that my father had a child before he met my mother but it's possible. If a person showed up or contacted me and said they were my father's child, I'd be absolutely delighted. In contrast, though, if I were to find out I had a half-sibling out there someplace I would not try to contact them, at least not directly, because I wouldn't want to disrupt the person's life and the family he or she grew up with.
 
With all the scams and forging of paperwork going on now days to be honest I'd be somewhat reluctant to let them past the front door.

I've got two step sisters now in Indiana (1/2 my dad and 1/2 his second wife) that I haven't seen since 1977 and two more step sisters in Wisconsin (1/2 my mom and 1/2 her second husband) that I haven't seen since 1980 and we may or may not contact each other once every two or three years and apparently we're all happy with things just as they are.

So in my case even if the one on the front porch was in fact really related I'd more than likely never be in contact with them again anyway.
 
Since my parents were married at 18, and my father died at 31, I can't imagine having this happen to me. However, let's look at it from the other side - What if DNA testing proved that "Dad" wasn't your father? Would you want to know your biological father and any half siblings? What if Mom won't say or, as can happen, doesn't really know? Would you do DNA searches to look for your mystery family?
 
Since my parents were married at 18, and my father died at 31, I can't imagine having this happen to me. However, let's look at it from the other side - What if DNA testing proved that "Dad" wasn't your father? Would you want to know your biological father and any half siblings? What if Mom won't say or, as can happen, doesn't really know? Would you do DNA searches to look for your mystery family?

Considering my parents, I'd say that'd be virtually impossible, but to address your question: if I found out my late father hadn't been my biological father, no I'd have no interest in finding the bio. father.
I'm sure plenty of people would disagree, my in my opinion heart is more important than blood.
And as for half-siblings, I wouldn't want to disrupt their lives.
 
Since my parents were married at 18, and my father died at 31, I can't imagine having this happen to me. However, let's look at it from the other side - What if DNA testing proved that "Dad" wasn't your father? Would you want to know your biological father and any half siblings? What if Mom won't say or, as can happen, doesn't really know? Would you do DNA searches to look for your mystery family?

No.

IMO peoples sex lives should remain personal and private unless they themselves choose to reveal them to their children.

Some things should remain "safe in the hallowed quiets of the past" as James Russell Lowell said.
 
Maybe, I misunderstood the meaning of "step brother/sister". The DNA results confirm one of your parents was responsible for that other person.

A step brother or sister is a child of your stepmother or stepfather which they already had before they married your mother or father (and neither of your bio parents was the bio parent of that child.) So if your mother remarries and the man she remarries already has children, those children are your steps.

Halfs are children with whom you only have one parent in common.
 
Since my parents were married at 18, and my father died at 31, I can't imagine having this happen to me. However, let's look at it from the other side - What if DNA testing proved that "Dad" wasn't your father? Would you want to know your biological father and any half siblings? What if Mom won't say or, as can happen, doesn't really know? Would you do DNA searches to look for your mystery family?

No. I don't think it is a great idea to upset the applecart of families like that. Besides which, even if I found out one of my parents was not my bio parent, I'd still consider them as my parent -- they are the ones who brought me up, loved me, raised me and nurtured and taught me.
 
Since my parents married when they were only 16 yrs old and their marriage lasted 61 yrs I would never want to find out one of them had another child with someone else. I always felt my parents were perfect and I wouldn't want to know anything like that to make me feel differently about them. I'm quite happy with the brother and sister I do have.
 
Thank you, ladies, for your thoughtful responses. :)
 


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