Adoption

What is adoption?

Adoption is a legal process by which a couple takes the responsibility to raise a child who is not biologically related to them as their own. Adoption creates a permanent legal relationship between the adoptive parents and the child. When you adopt a child, the legal rights of the real parents of the child get transferred to you. Additionally, the adopted child has the same rights as any biological child of your own.

In short, the child becomes a part of your family.

Benefits and problems of adoption

Adoption brings with it its share of joys and problems. Here are some of the benefits and problems associated with adoption.

Benefits of adoption:

• Adopting a child can bring untold joys and happiness to your family.
• You can make a big difference to an orphaned child’s life.
• The child gets a parent, family, security, love and happiness.
• It is a noble gesture towards society.

Negative aspects of adoption:

• Adoption is often considered as a taboo in society.
• It is often a tiring and time-consuming process.
• Your adopted child may want to know about real parents once he or she grows up.
• The child may never reconcile to the fact that he or she was left abandoned at some point of time.
• Insecure feelings about bonding with an adopted child.
• Fear of how relatives would treat your adopted child.
• Fear whether society will accept your adopted child.
• Troubling doubts as to when or whether to tell your child that he or she was adopted

• Closed adoption: In this type of adoption, a child’s real parents and adoptive parents do not meet. The birthmothers give off their babies to an adoption agency. No further information other than the medical history of the birthmother is shared with the adoptive family.
• Semi-open adoption: Birthmothers are given the option to choose potential adoptive parents.
• Open adoption: Both the birthparents and adoptive parents share contact information about each other. Once the adoption process is complete, it is their personal choice, whether to be in touch with one another or not.

It is important for you to qualify to adopt a child. The following checklist will give you an idea as to whether you can confidently choose to adopt a baby:

• You should have a steady income to provide financial security for the child.
• You should be able to provide a secure environment for the child.
• You or your partner should not have a criminal record.
• Your age and your partner’s age combined should not exceed 90.
• You should not have any major illness.

Finally…

Adopting a child could do wonders for you. It could bring untold joys and happiness to your family. Besides, the views on adoption, often considered a taboo in society is fast changing. People’s attitudes have changed and adoption is no more a taboo or an uncommon thing nowadays. Every child needs a family as it is the best place for any child to grow. But some children are unfortunate. They have nobody to give them care and love. This makes them feel abandoned and neglected. Your decision to adopt a child can indeed be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life. Nevertheless, weigh all the positive and negative aspects before you make a decision—have realistic expectations.