Final answer:
A genitor is biologically the male parent who contributes genetic material to an offspring, though raising the child is not necessarily part of this definition. The term 'parent' has evolved to include individuals who are socially recognized for their caregiving role, regardless of biological ties.
Step-by-step explanation:
When we talk about a genitor, we refer to the male parent who contributes genetic material to an offspring, specifically through the sperm cells. The statement "A genitor is the male parent who fathers/ raises a given offspring." can be both true and false. It is true in the biological sense, as a genitor is indeed the father in terms of genetics, but it may be false if we consider raising the offspring as part of the definition, because the social and legal concept of a parent may include male figures who are not the biological fathers but take on the role of raising children.
The concept of the genetic parent is distinct from that of parental roles in society, and the term 'parent' in modern times can refer to any individual who fulfills the responsibilities of raising a child, regardless of biological connection. This distinction can be seen in various areas, such as family law, where social and legal guardians can be recognized as a child's parents, and in cultures across history, such as the role of the paterfamilias in Roman society, who exercised considerable authority over his family.