What's the difference between a stepson and an adopted son?

Legal analysis: the rights and obligations of adopted children and stepchildren in civil legal relations are different, mainly in:

(1) The relationship of rights and obligations between adopted son and adoptive parents is that from the time the adoption relationship is established, both parties should assume obligations and enjoy rights. The relationship of rights and obligations between stepchildren and stepparents is due to the upbringing and education of stepmother or stepfather.

(2) The relationship between the rights and obligations of the adoptive parents shall be extinguished by the establishment of the adoptive relationship, but not by the formation of the adoptive relationship between the stepfather or stepmother and the stepson. When the stepson is underage, his biological parents still have the obligation to raise and educate him. In this way, a stepson raised and educated by his stepfather or stepmother has dual rights and obligations with his biological parents and stepfather or stepmother. If a stepfather or stepmother adopts a stepson as an adopted son, with the establishment of the adoption relationship, the rights and obligations of the stepson and the biological parents are eliminated, and the rights and obligations of the biological father and the daughter are established with the adoptive father or the adoptive mother.

Legal basis: Article 1072 of the Civil Code of People's Republic of China (PRC) stipulates that there shall be no abuse or discrimination between step parents and step children. The provisions of this law on the relationship between parents and children shall apply to the rights and obligations between stepfathers or stepmothers and their stepchildren.