Monday, February 28, 2005
FAQs on Adoption
What is adoption?
Adoption is a process of parenting children who are not related to one by birth.
Who is eligible to adopt?
• Married couples or single adults (unmarried, widowed, divorced) who have a steady income sufficient to bear the family expenses and provide a financial security for the child.
• Those whose age does not exceed 45 years.
• Those who have a home environment comfortable for themselves and a child.
Is adoption legal in India?
Adoption is legal in India. The IPC has two laws under which children can be adopted depending on the religion of the adoptive parents.
1. The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act 1956 which applies only to Hindus.
2. The Guardianship and Ward Act 1890 which applies to non-Hindus (Christians, Muslims and Parses). A 1996 judgement by Justice FI Rebello of the High Court grants adoption for non-Hindu families who have taken the child under guardianship for over a period of two years.
How can you adopt?
Adoption can be done only through government recognised placement agencies, in accordance with the prescribed legal procedure.
Where can we find more details of adoption in India (specifically Mumbai)?
Check this link for organizations and contact details.
***
Ours by Choice
We are guilty of many errors and many faults
But our worst crime
Is abandoning the children,
neglecting the fountain of life.
Many of the things we need can wait.
The child cannot.
Right now is the time
his bones are being formed,
his blood is being made,
and his senses are being developed.
To him we cannot answer"Tomorrow."
His name is "Today."
- Gabriela Mistral
***
The really beautiful comment Tejaswini left on the previous post on Adoption is repeated below ... verbatim, because I feel it's impossible to improve on what she's said so wonderfully ...
Adoption ... to me, its one of the noblest things that one can do. Also, one of the toughest.
There's a cute little book called "Little Prince". Its a sweet rambling book that gives you huge insights into life. One of the things that's stayed with me, is the concept of "Taming".
The author explains how a little prince is fond of one particular rose. The rose is just like any other ... but he loves THIS rose .. because he tamed her. He took care of her .. watered her, fed her. And so he cared only for her.
So it is with a child, a human being. I can say this because I have seen it.
I have an uncle who adopted two children. Another who adopted one .. I find this even more amazing coz he already had one son, but he went ahead and adopted a daughter.
Today, these children are like any of us. We don't ever think of them as "adopted" or as "outsiders".
The biggest factor has been the family support. This has helped the children to merge with the family. And they are all aware that they are adopted by and not born from their parents.
I agree with Suhail when he says that it requires huge emotional investments ... but its the same if you have a kid naturally, right? And a child is like a pet ... it can tame you and make you fall in love.
And when you are in love, you are a goner. The child can twist you round its little finger and you'll never remember that you actually paid for the little devil.
:)
And it will become an inseparable part of you.
The returns are immense ... emotionally. And you have helped to give a child a home, care, love and protection ... everything it would have been bereft of, otherwise.
What better way to do social service?
Adoption is a process of parenting children who are not related to one by birth.
Who is eligible to adopt?
• Married couples or single adults (unmarried, widowed, divorced) who have a steady income sufficient to bear the family expenses and provide a financial security for the child.
• Those whose age does not exceed 45 years.
• Those who have a home environment comfortable for themselves and a child.
Is adoption legal in India?
Adoption is legal in India. The IPC has two laws under which children can be adopted depending on the religion of the adoptive parents.
1. The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act 1956 which applies only to Hindus.
2. The Guardianship and Ward Act 1890 which applies to non-Hindus (Christians, Muslims and Parses). A 1996 judgement by Justice FI Rebello of the High Court grants adoption for non-Hindu families who have taken the child under guardianship for over a period of two years.
How can you adopt?
Adoption can be done only through government recognised placement agencies, in accordance with the prescribed legal procedure.
Where can we find more details of adoption in India (specifically Mumbai)?
Check this link for organizations and contact details.
***
Ours by Choice
We are guilty of many errors and many faults
But our worst crime
Is abandoning the children,
neglecting the fountain of life.
Many of the things we need can wait.
The child cannot.
Right now is the time
his bones are being formed,
his blood is being made,
and his senses are being developed.
To him we cannot answer"Tomorrow."
His name is "Today."
- Gabriela Mistral
***
The really beautiful comment Tejaswini left on the previous post on Adoption is repeated below ... verbatim, because I feel it's impossible to improve on what she's said so wonderfully ...
Adoption ... to me, its one of the noblest things that one can do. Also, one of the toughest.
There's a cute little book called "Little Prince". Its a sweet rambling book that gives you huge insights into life. One of the things that's stayed with me, is the concept of "Taming".
The author explains how a little prince is fond of one particular rose. The rose is just like any other ... but he loves THIS rose .. because he tamed her. He took care of her .. watered her, fed her. And so he cared only for her.
So it is with a child, a human being. I can say this because I have seen it.
I have an uncle who adopted two children. Another who adopted one .. I find this even more amazing coz he already had one son, but he went ahead and adopted a daughter.
Today, these children are like any of us. We don't ever think of them as "adopted" or as "outsiders".
The biggest factor has been the family support. This has helped the children to merge with the family. And they are all aware that they are adopted by and not born from their parents.
I agree with Suhail when he says that it requires huge emotional investments ... but its the same if you have a kid naturally, right? And a child is like a pet ... it can tame you and make you fall in love.
And when you are in love, you are a goner. The child can twist you round its little finger and you'll never remember that you actually paid for the little devil.
:)
And it will become an inseparable part of you.
The returns are immense ... emotionally. And you have helped to give a child a home, care, love and protection ... everything it would have been bereft of, otherwise.
What better way to do social service?
