<![CDATA[This study aims to reconceptualize the legal relationship between a child and their biological father in unregistered marriages from the perspective of legal philosophy. The study employs normative legal research with a qualitative approach. Primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials were analyzed through statutory, conceptual, and philosophical approaches, supported by qualitative content analysis and Gustav Radbruch’s theory of the purpose of law. The findings indicate that the prevailing legal framework remains dominated by a “marriage-based legal relationship” paradigm, in which marriage registration functions as a primary basis for establishing legal relationships. This framework has yet to adequately balance legal certainty, substantive justice, and legal utility in protecting children’s rights. Based on Radbruch’s theory, the study proposes a “responsibility-based legal relationship” model, in which a legally established biological relationship may constitute a basis for parental responsibility through objective evidentiary mechanisms. The model integrates legal parentage, parental responsibility, the best interests of the child, legal certainty, substantive justice, and legal utility as a conceptual framework for the development of Indonesian family law. The study contributes a conceptual model for reconciling biological parentage, parental responsibility, and the protection of children’s rights within the legal framework governing unregistered marriages.]]>
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