There was a culture I read about that i forget the name of that understood human biology to be very different from what we know today. This was a matrilineal culture which believed that men did not pass on their genes, but a piece of their spirit. The spirit was the life force of a human being which kept the body alive. It possessed the consciousness of a person; morals, values, strengths, etc. This would be passed on from the father to his offspring while the mother would pass on her characteristics through her genes. This culture saw a difference between the biological father (genitor) and the social father (pater). The genitor was basically a sperm donor who had no parent obligations to the child. The pater was usually a cousin or brother of the mother, and would be charged with helping her take care of the child.
Reproduction doesn't work this way, but I wanted to make it a reality for this setting. What would be a good way to incorporate this concept into human biology? Should both parents pass on something different to the child? Should I just chalk it up to my magical system?
Reproduction doesn't work this way, but I wanted to make it a reality for this setting. What would be a good way to incorporate this concept into human biology? Should both parents pass on something different to the child? Should I just chalk it up to my magical system?
