Illegitimacy

Illegitimacy refers to a child born outside of a legally recognized marriage. Historically, such children were sometimes considered to have different social or legal status compared to those born within marriage. Today, many legal systems treat all children equally, regardless of their parents’ marital status, but the term may still carry social or cultural implications depending on context. It primarily pertains to the legal recognition of parentage and inheritance rights, which can affect a child's social identity and legal benefits.