Being a parent means providing love, guidance, and everything else a child needs. This is not a matter of DNA, there are many step parents and stand in parents who may not be biologically related but who go above and beyond when it comes to parenting. There are biological parents who leave and never look back, never caring whether their offspring is provided for in spite of sharing the same DNA. There are also individuals who step in, filling a void in the child's life and providing the guidance and support that the child needs as they grow to maturity. A real parent is someone who is there during the tough times in childhood, providing unconditional love and acceptance while they guide the child to becoming a responsible adult.
Becoming a parent is not a matter of genetics, it is matter of love and commitment. A parent will sit up with a sick child all night long, and be there to provide comfort and support when things do not turn out as expected. Being there for the bad times and showing that they care is what makes a parent, not just the DNA of the cells and tissues in the body. A genetic link shows parentage and genetics, but it is the love and devotion an individual gives that shows parenthood. This is why many adopted children have terrific lives, the people who adopt these children are not their biological parents but they earn this title with the love and effort that they give on a daily basis.