Inheritance Rights: Illegitimate children had no automatic right to inherit property or titles from their fathers. They could only inherit if their father explicitly acknowledged paternity and made provisions for them in their will.
Guardianship and Custody: The father of an illegitimate child was not automatically recognised as the legal guardian. Typically, the mother had sole custody and guardianship of the child, but she also faced many societal and legal barriers in raising and providing for the child.
Legal Status: Illegitimate children were often referred to as "bastards" or "illegitimate," carrying a stigma that could affect their social status, employment opportunities, and personal relationships.
Social Welfare: Illegitimate children were not entitled to the same level of social welfare support and benefits as legitimate children. They had limited access to education and other public services, and their mothers often struggled to provide for their basic needs.
Legal Action: Illegitimate children were not always treated equally under the law. Their limited legal status meant they had fewer legal rights and less recourse in cases of neglect, abuse, or other legal matters.
Lack of Recognition: In many cases, illegitimate children were not recognised as legitimate by their fathers, leaving them without legal or social support and facing various challenges and disadvantages in society.
The situation for illegitimate children in Northern Ireland began to improve in the 1960s with the introduction of legal reforms and changes in social attitudes. The Legitimacy Act (Northern Ireland) 1965 played a significant role in addressing some of these inequities, granting illegitimate children more legal rights and recognising them as legitimate under certain circumstances. However, it took several more years and societal changes to fully address the stigma and discrimination associated with illegitimate children.