Parent
A
parent is a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
A
mother is the biological or social
female parent of a
child or
offspring, while the
male parent is the
father. The
maternal bond describes the feelings the mother has for her (or another's) child.
In the case of a
mammal such as a
human, the mother
gestates her child (called first an
embryo, then a
fetus) in the
womb from until the fetus is sufficiently well-developed to be born. The mother then goes into labour and gives
birth. Once the child is born, the mother produces
milk to feed the child.
A
father is traditionally the
male parent of a child. Like mothers, fathers may be categorised according to their biological, social or legal
relationship with the child. Historically, the biological relationship
paternity has been determinative of fatherhood. However,
proof of paternity has been intrinsically problematic and so social rules often determined who would be regarded as a father e.g. the husband of the mother.
*
*
Paternal bond*
Sociology of fatherhood *
Non-human fatherhood*
Marriage strike *
Fathers' rights*
List of songs about mothers*
Surrogate mother*
Mother Nature,
Mother goddess,
Mother (neopaganism),
Mother Earth,
Great Mother,
Gaia (mythology)*
Mary, mother of Jesus*
/ National Educational Network, Inc. (NENI) - free online resources for parent education, curriculum, scholarships, etc.
