Parentage

Parentage refers to the relationship between a person and a child that confers certain rights, responsibilities, and identity. The term can encompass biological ties, legal status, and social roles. In practice, it is used to describe genetic connections as well as the recognized status of a parent within a family or under the law.

Biological parentage is based on genetic relationship, typically involving the mother who gives birth and the father whose genetic contribution is inherited. Maternity is usually straightforward, while paternity may be established or disputed and can be confirmed through genetic testing. Legal parentage, by contrast, is the set of rights and duties recognized by a jurisdiction, which may align with or diverge from biological ties.

Social parentage describes the parental role in a family regardless of biological connection. This includes stepparents, long-term caregivers, and others who raise a child. Adoptive parentage involves legally assuming parental rights and responsibilities. Surrogacy and donor conception add complexity, as the intended or gestational parents may differ from the donor or the child’s genetic lineage.

Establishing parentage can involve birth records and civil registries, court orders, or genetic testing. In many places, paternity or parentage is clarified for purposes such as custody, visitation, support, and inheritance. Legal recognition of parentage affects who has decision-making authority and who is financially responsible for a child.

Legal implications of parentage include custody and guardianship, child support, and inheritance rights. Cultural and ethical considerations touch on privacy, consent, and the rights of donor-conceived individuals to know their origins, as well as the interests of families formed through adoption or surrogacy.