Step Father’s Responsibility to Maintain a Child: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

The thesis provides a critical evaluation of responsibility of stepfather towards a stepchild. The aim of the thesis is to find the responsibilities of a stepfather towards a stepchild where the child has lost his father due to father’s death and also in the case where there is biological father but he is not willing to accept the responsibilities. The research will be conducted through a qualitative research methodology. This research also tries to give a legal frame on stepfather’s responsibilities by evaluating the importance of father figure in child’ s life .When a father and mother of a legitimate child separate, the mother typically retains custody while guardianship is vested upon the biological father. But when the father is not alive or not willing to have the guardianship then mother alone have to take care of all the needs of a child. In that situation if mother marries another male then what his contribution will be towards the stepchild and what should be his contribution will be evaluated in these thesis reviewing different literature reviews, the sayings of Sariah laws including Quran, Sunnah,Ijma,Qias and overviewing the practicing laws ,customs and case laws in different Muslim countries. This thesis recommends on the creation of new policies and rules regarding stepfather’s responsibilities in accordance with Islamic Sariah law to give better shape to child’s welfare and best interest.