"Bastardy" refers to the condition of being born to parents who are not married to each other. Historically, this status often carried social stigma and legal disadvantages, affecting inheritance rights and social standing. In many cultures, children born out of wedlock faced discrimination and were sometimes labeled as "illegitimate." The term has evolved over time, and in modern contexts, it is often viewed with less negativity. Today, many societies recognize the importance of family structures beyond traditional marriage, and the focus has shifted towards the well-being of the child, regardless of the parents' marital status.