Bastardy refers to the status of a child born to parents who are not married to each other at the time of the child's birth. Historically, this status often carried social stigma and legal disadvantages, affecting the child's rights to inheritance and family recognition. In many cultures, the term has evolved, and the negative connotations associated with bastardy have diminished. Today, the focus is more on the well-being of the child rather than the marital status of the parents, reflecting changing societal attitudes towards family structures and relationships.