Is a person standing in the place of a parent responsible for child support?

The rationale for holding a person standing in the place of a parent responsible for child support is expressed in Theriault v. Theriault, supra at paragraph 13: “...Our society values parenthood as a vital adjunct to the upbringing of children. Adequate performance of that office is a duty imposed by law whenever our society judges that it is fair to impose it. In the case of the natural parent, the biological contribution towards the new life warrants the imposition of the duty. In the case of a step‑parent, it is the voluntary assumption of that role. It is not in the best interests of children that step‑parents or natural parents be permitted to abandon their children, and it is their best interests that should govern. Financial responsibility is simply one of the many aspects of the office of parent. A parent, or step‑parent, who refuses or avoids this obligation neglects or abandons the child. This abandonment or neglect is as real as would be a refusal of medical care, or affection, or comfort, or any other need of a child.”