Godparents: Religious Sponsors, Responsibilities, and Cultural Traditions

Overview

Godparent refers to an adult who formally sponsors a young person at a religious formal ceremony. Many religions have comparable roles; examples include Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

In many traditions a godparent is expected to share the child's faith and therefore be a member of the same religion. Historically, the adult took on an active part in the child's upbringing and religious education and could become the child's guardian if the parents were unable to care for them.

Customs linked to the office vary. It is common for a godparent to present the child with a gift — this might be a keepsake, money, toys, or something similar — often given on special days such as Sundays.

In modern practice the role is frequently symbolic rather than legal. A female child of a godparent is called a goddaughter, and a male child is called a godson.