It’s just the default and people like things uncomplicated. I have two biological children and one adopted child, plus an unrecognized adult daughter I fathered back during my “party boy international student” phase in the US. The mother was married, and she and her husband were into that sort of lifestyle. I’ve met the child, but she has no interest in me; she sees the man who raised her as her one and only father.
In Arab (Muslim) contexts, adoption is treated as a form of legal guardianship (sponsorship). The child must retain their biological father’s surname. They do not automatically receive inheritance rights; adoptive parents must make specific arrangements if they wish to provide for them.
There are also rules regarding mahram and non-mahram relationships (those whom one may or may not marry). Adopted children are considered non-mahram. However, if the adoptive mother breastfeeds the child, a mahram relationship is established.
For example, our adopted son was three months old when we brought him home. My wife breastfed him, which means the women in our family will not need to cover in his presence.
Deploy everywhere, trust nowhere. Bold strategy.
FSD: Full Stagnant Deliveries.
Well, I think we fundamentally see existence differently. I don’t view life as inherently harmful or defined by suffering, so I don’t think we’ll fully agree on that.
What matters to me is that my children are happy and living good lives, and I’ve done everything I can to support them in that, including my unrecognized daughter, whom I support financially. For me, taking responsibility and ensuring their well-being is what counts, and that’s enough.