Who are considered social parents?

Social parents are individuals who assume the responsibilities and roles associated with parenting, regardless of whether they have a genetic or biological relationship with the child. This can include a broad spectrum of relationships, such as stepparents, adoptive parents, and other caregivers who actively engage in raising the child, providing emotional support, and being involved in their upbringing.

The focus on the role rather than the genetic link is essential in understanding social parenthood. Individuals who take on parenting roles without genetic ties may provide love, care, and stability in a child's life, fulfilling the emotional and practical needs typically associated with parenting.

Other choices represent various forms of parental influence or authority, but they do not capture the broader concept of social parenting, which emphasizes the relationship and involvement rather than genetic links. For instance, biological parents and legal guardians may have legal or genetic ties, while foster parents fulfill a specific regulatory role but may not fully encompass the ongoing relational aspects typical of social parenting.