The community could gain custody of children if mothers could not perform their responsibilities. Children had right of inheritance from mother, but not father. D. Slave children 1. Within a decade of the end of the Civil War, all former slave states recognized the rights and responsibilities of former slave parents for their children. If the parents had lived together as husband and wife during slavery, they were recognized as being married and their children legitimate.
Community decides which adults are fit to be parents.
Major consequence was that children acquired inheritance rights via their adoptive parents. Parents' violating such provisions could result in penalties or loss of custody. In situations involving loss of custody, permanent adoption and temporary paid foster families were sought, with private orphanages the last resort. D. Government began providing aid to some mothers in poverty. Widowed mothers were given aid so they could devote full time to caring for their children.