surrogate fathers
Replacement paternal figures
A surrogate father is a man who takes on paternal responsibilities for a child who is not biologically his, filling the role of an absent or unavailable father.
Unlike adoptive fathers, surrogate fathers may not have legal status—an uncle, stepfather, mentor, or family friend might serve as a surrogate father: His coach became a surrogate father after his dad left.
- godparentBaptismal ceremony guardian
- dadMale parent, informal
- chosen familyIntentionally formed kinship network
- foster careSupervised substitute parenting
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
papa · bonus dad · role model · big brother · blended families · caregiver · legal guardianship · protector · parental influence · guidance · familial bonds · generational wisdom · village elder · emotional bonds · non-traditional families · kinship · compadre · male role model
surrogate fatherssurrogate mothers
Women bearing children for others
foster mothers · stepmothers · mother figures · adoptive mothers
surrogate, surrogates, surrogacy, father, fathers, fathered, fathering, fatherhood, fatherless