Perhaps we should change it so it would imply “bastard FATHER” or “bastard MOTHER”.
True it isn’t the child’s fault, and we know that. It’s just the way the un-PC world used to clarify things - and they were right. But the onus should be on the parents.
Absolutely. No child brings him/herself into this world. They should never be labeled illigitimate or otherwise. They are beautiful babies and deserve to be happy and respected. It’s the people who make it happen that should be the ones responsible. I’m not for abortion because to me it is out and out murder. However, if someone wants one that should be between them and their maker...but I don’t want to pay for it with our hard earned money. I don’t ask them to pay for my hospital bill when I have a baby so I don’t want to pay for theirs when they murder a baby.
But before we do so, perhaps you'll consider that it might be you who is putting the negative spin on a word that is straightforward. Note that William the Conqueror was known in state documents as "William the Bastard."