The term "bastard" refers to a child born to parents who are not legally married to each other. Historically, this status often carried social stigma and legal disadvantages, affecting inheritance rights and social standing. In many cultures, being labeled a bastard could lead to discrimination and exclusion from certain societal privileges. In modern contexts, the term is less commonly used in a legal sense, as many societies have moved towards more inclusive definitions of family. Today, the focus is often on the child's well-being rather than the marital status of the parents, reflecting changing attitudes towards family structures and relationships.