A young woman has initiated a lawsuit for the suppression of her father’s surname because she has no connection with him. She is currently studying law in Viedma, and her wish is for her maternal surname to be the only one listed on her graduation certificate.
Her parents maintained a long-distance relationship because her mother moved to Tierra del Fuego with her family. Later, she became pregnant, the father acknowledged the child, and their family life took place between Viedma and Tierra del Fuego until certain complexities in the relationship between the adults ended it. When her mother informed the father of her decision to stay in that city, he threatened to withdraw from his daughter’s life and soon after, he did just that. The mother attempted several times to restore the father-daughter bond, but he stated that he no longer wanted to see her.
The young woman explained in her submission to the Family Court of Viedma that her father completely abandoned her life, never contributed financially, nor accompanied her during any stage of her growth. He never fulfilled his role as a father, not even now that they live in the same city, she described.
The young woman recounted that the abandonment occurred when she was just two years old. She expressed that she has no memories of him, having only his surname, which has prevented her from forming any identification or emotional bond with him. She doesn’t even remember his face, except for a photo from the day she was born, she stated.
She said that this situation of abandonment caused her a lot of pain from a very young age, which she had to process throughout her life. She expressed that growing up without a paternal bond meant her family identity was constructed solely in relation to her maternal family, with her maternal grandparents and uncles being those who have been present to support her and her mother at all times.
Previously, she had added her maternal surname through the procedure at the Civil Registry.
Thus, from the testimonial statements from her maternal family, it is consistently shown that the young woman never had a relationship with her father, who was absent throughout her life and never showed interest in getting to know her.
For the Family judge, the documentary evidence submitted, including screenshots of her identification on social media, was conclusive, showing how the young woman decided to name herself and introduce herself through various media, social networks, and email, identifying only with her maternal surname.
The magistrate stated: “It has been proven that the young woman has not had a relationship throughout her life with her father, Mr. N., and that, even currently living in the same city as him due to her university studies, her father has shown the same indifference as during her childhood and adolescence.”
For all these reasons, the Family magistrate ultimately ordered the change and instructed that the birth records be amended accordingly and that a new ID be issued.
