I’m asking as a dad of two biological kids and one adopted child (though the concept of adoption differs between the West and the Arab world), ranging in age from 13 to 17. I was raised with a traditional Arab boss-subordinate dynamic between parent and child, but with my kids I went the opposite way and tried to cultivate a best-friend, mentor, and guide relationship, while still maintaining my role as an authority figure.
very curious about that. how does it differ?
In Arab (Muslim) contexts, adoption is treated as a form of legal guardianship (sponsorship). The child must retain their biological father’s surname. They do not automatically receive inheritance rights; adoptive parents must make specific arrangements if they wish to provide for them.
There are also rules regarding mahram and non-mahram relationships (those whom one may or may not marry). Adopted children are considered non-mahram. However, if the adoptive mother breastfeeds the child, a mahram relationship is established.
For example, our adopted son was three months old when we brought him home. My wife breastfed him, which means the women in our family will not need to cover in his presence.
Oh wow that’s really interesting! Thanks for the explanation.