New Delhi: November 9 marks the celebration of World Adoption Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of adoption and the profound impact it can have on children’s lives. Adoption provides a second chance for children who have been orphaned, abandoned, or neglected, offering them the love, care, and stability they deserve.
While orphanages worldwide work tirelessly to provide shelter, the absence of a family environment leaves children vulnerable. This day highlights the urgent need for more families to step forward and give these children the love they need to thrive.
The Importance of Adoption: Orphanages serve as crucial institutions, providing shelter and care for children who lack parental support. Yet, the institutionalized care these children receive cannot replace the warmth and stability of a family environment.
Many children in orphanages across the world are waiting for loving families to offer them the opportunity to grow, learn, and flourish. They yearn for a family that will nurture them, offer guidance, and help them realise their full potential. Adoption gives them the joy of belonging, creating new opportunities for children who have faced hardship.
The Origins of World Adoption Day: World Adoption Day was founded in 2014 by Hank Fortner and his team at Adopt Together, a non-profit crowdfunding platform that seeks to bridge the gap between children in need of homes and families eager to adopt.
The day is celebrated globally to highlight the importance of adoption, raise awareness about the challenges faced by orphaned children, and encourage individuals and families to consider adoption.
The event aims to educate the public about the adoption process, the emotional journey involved, and the immense impact it can have on both the child and the adoptive family.
Adoption Process in India: India’s adoption process, managed by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), follows a clear and structured path to ensure that children are placed in the most suitable homes.
The process begins with the registration of prospective adoptive parents with authorised agencies, including recognised Indian Placement Agencies (RIPA) and Special Adoption Agencies (SAA). After a thorough home study and counselling session, a child may be referred to the parents.
If the parents accept the child, they file a petition in court, and after a series of legal steps, the adoption order is issued. This process also includes a phase of pre-adoptive foster care, allowing the adoptive family to bond with the child and understand their needs before finalising the adoption.
Follow-up reports are submitted to ensure the well-being of the child post-adoption, with the court monitoring progress for one to two years after the adoption is completed.
Adoption Data in India: According to CARA, India has seen fluctuations in adoption rates over the years. Similarly, inter-country adoptions also saw a slight decline. The decline in adoption rates can be attributed to societal factors, such as caste, class, and genetic concerns, which have historically influenced people’s views on adoption.
Despite these challenges, there is a noticeable shift toward a more accepting attitude, with many prospective parents now eager to adopt.
However, India faces a significant gap between the demand for adoption and the number of children available for adoption. With over 29.6 million orphaned, abandoned, and stranded children in India, the number of available children for adoption is drastically lower than the number of families waiting.
The Call to Action: World Adoption Day serves as a reminder of the urgent need for adoption, especially in countries like India, where millions of children remain without families. The day encourages individuals and families to consider adoption as a means of giving a child a chance at a better life.
It is a call to action for governments, organisations, and communities to continue working toward ensuring that every child has a loving family to call their own.
Adoption changes lives, both for the child and the adoptive family. It is an opportunity to build families, to offer hope, and to shape the future of children who need it the most. As we celebrate World Adoption Day, we are reminded of the powerful impact of adoption on creating a more inclusive and compassionate world.
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