pater
kinship
Quick Summary
In kinship studies, a distinction is made between a biological father ("genitor") and a social father ("pater"). While a genitor is the biological father, a pater is the one who fulfills the role of father, which is not always tied to biological relation. This concept is particularly relevant in understanding different societal structures and how kinship is defined and practiced across cultures. The term "pater" itself is derived from Latin and means father.123
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