Which characteristic is associated with individuals designated as social parents?

Individuals designated as social parents primarily take on a caregiving role without necessarily having genetic ties to the child. This concept is rooted in the idea that social parenting focuses on the relational and nurturing aspects of parenting, rather than the biological connection. Social parents provide love, support, and guidance, fulfilling the emotional and practical needs of a child regardless of genetic links.

In contrast, the other characteristics do not accurately define social parents. Carrying genetic traits of the child refers to biological parents, which directly contradicts the essence of a social parent. Having formal legal custody might apply to some social parents but does not encompass all such relationships, as not all social parents have legal rights or responsibilities. Additionally, working in child welfare services pertains to professional roles rather than the familial and caregiving dynamics that characterize social parenting. Thus, the focus is on the nurturing role that can exist independent of biological or legal definitions.