### Question
How is the "parent" defined?


### Answer
The term **parent** is defined in *42 U.S.C. § 402* as follows -

> the mother or father of an individual, a stepparent of an individual by a marriage contracted before such individual attained the age of sixteen, or an adopting parent by whom an individual was adopted before he attained the age of sixteen

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 402*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 7-SOCIAL SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER II-FEDERAL OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS, AND DISABILITY INSURANCE BENEFITS**

