Mother
A mother is the female parent of the child. Mothers are women who inhabit or perform the role of bearing some representation to their children, who may or may non be their biological offspring. Thus, dependent on the context, women can be considered mothers by virtue of having precondition birth, by raising their children, supplying their ovum for fertilisation, or some combination thereof. such(a) conditions render a way of delineating the concept of motherhood, or the state of being a mother. Women who meet the third and first categories commonly fall under the terms 'birth mother' or 'biological mother', regardless of whether the individual in question goes on to parent their child. Accordingly, a woman who meets only the second condition may be considered an adoptive mother, in addition to those who meet only the first or only the third a surrogacy mother.
An adoptive mother is a female who has become the child's parent through the legal process of adoption. A biological mother is the female genetic contributor to the established of the infant, through sexual intercourse or egg donation. A biological mother may draw legal obligations to a child non raised by her, such(a) as an obligation of monetary support. A putative mother is a female whose biological relationship to a child is alleged but has not been established. A stepmother is a woman who is married to a child's father as living as they may form a brand unit, but who broadly does not have the legal rights and responsibilities of a parent in representation to the child.
The above concepts determining the role of mother are neither exhaustive nor universal, as any definition of 'mother' may turn based on how social, cultural, and religious roles are defined. There are parallel conditions and terms for males: those who are typically biologically fathers do not, by definition, take up the role of motherhood. Motherhood and fatherhood are not limited to those who are or have parented. Women who are pregnant may be indicated to as expectant mothers or mothers-to-be, though such a formal request to be considered for a position or to be allowed to do or have something. tend to be less readily applied to biological fathers or adoptive parents. The process of becoming a mother has been target to as "matrescence".
The adjective "maternal" refers to a mother and comparatively to "paternal" for a father. The verb "to mother" means to procreate or to sire a child, or to provide care for a child, from which also derives the noun "mothering". Related terms of endearment are mom mama, mommy, mum mummy, mumsy, mamacita ma, mam and mammy. A female role framework that children can look up to is sometimes referred to as a mother-figure.