Psychological Parenting Doctrine

The Volokh Conspiracy has an extended discussion of psychological parenting. This is the legal doctrine that says a person not biologically related to the child can be given parental rights if they have formed a psychological bond with the child and are functioning as a psychological parent. The back and forth gives an idea of the potential for mischief, as well as some of the heart-rending cases that emerge in this area of family law.