In ancient China, the family system and patriarchal culture had a profound impact on people's social status and rights. Among them, the distinction between legitimate son and illegitimate son is an important manifestation of this impact. So, what is the difference between legitimate son and illegitimate son?

The legitimate son, as the name implies, is the son born to the wife. In the family structure of one husband, one wife, and multiple concubines in ancient times, the wife had the highest status, and her son was naturally given priority in inheritance. The legitimate son not only has the right to inherit the family property, but also can inherit his father's official position and rank. Therefore, the legitimate son plays a very important role in the family, and they are often regarded as the future leaders of the family.

In contrast to the legitimate son is the illegitimate son, who is the son born to the concubine or concubines. In ancient times, the status of the illegitimate son was far lower than that of the legitimate son. They had no power to inherit the family property, nor could they inherit their father's official position and rank. However, this does not mean that the illegitimate son has no status at all. In some cases, if there is no legitimate son in the family, the illegitimate son may also be selected as the heir. In addition, the illegitimate son can also improve his social status through his own efforts, such as passing the civil service examination.

The difference between legitimate son and illegitimate son is not only reflected in inheritance rights, but also in every aspect of daily life. For example, legitimate sons usually enjoy better education and living conditions, while illegitimate sons may be ignored or treated unfairly. This difference often has a profound impact on their lives.

Overall, the difference between legitimate son and illegitimate son reflects the hierarchy and gender discrimination in ancient society. Although modern society has abandoned this system, this traditional concept still exists in some places, affecting people's lives. Therefore, we need to eliminate this inequality through education and law, so that everyone can enjoy equal rights and opportunities.

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