This is something I've always struggled with understanding. I've seen a very good friend of mine marry and later have a child with a woman who already had a 7yr old boy. I simply cannot wrap my head around the concept that there's a walking, talking, resource sapping, attention demanding, tinder box of parenthood arguments belonging to another man living in your house that you're expected to really love.

The opposite end of the spectrum, is where a lion kills all the rival young, and I'm definitely not there, but can someone help me understand the thought process that would lead someone to accept the kid as their own? And, do they truly feel that way, or is it just something they want to be able to feel?