A
father is the
male parent of a (human)
child. Besides the paternal bonds of a father to his children, the father has a parental social and legal relationship with the child that carries with it certain rights and obligations, although this varies between jurisdictions. An
adoptive father is a male who has become the child's parent through the legal process of
adoption. A
biological father is the male genetic contributor to the creation of the
baby, through
sexual intercourse or
sperm donation. A biological father may have legal obligations to a child not raised by him, such as an obligation of monetary support. A
putative father is a man whose biological relationship to a child is alleged but has not been established. A
stepfather is a male who is the husband of a child's mother and they may form a family unit, but who generally does not have the legal rights and responsibilities of a parent in relation to the child.
