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Single, but planning to adopt? Here are 10 things you need to know about single mother adoption in India and it's challenges.
Single, but planning to adopt? Learn what to expect and how single women in India can handle the challenges of adoption. Here are 1o things you should know about single mother adoption in India
Reports of the Indian Association for Promotion of Adoption and Child Welfare show that the number of single women who are adopting is steadily growing in India.
The question is why? The answer lies in the universal desire to have a family.
Here 10 most frequently asked questions about single mother adoption in India and their answers.
Yes, single women can adopt a child in India. They have the same right to adopt as married couples.
Single women need to meet certain requirements to adopt a child, such as being mentally and physically fit, having a stable income, and being able to provide a loving and nurturing environment for the child.
There is no specific age limit for single women adopting a child. However, adoption agencies may consider the age of the prospective parent during the adoption process.
Yes, single women can adopt children of any gender. The gender of the child is generally not a restriction for single women looking to adopt.
Yes, single women can adopt children of any age, including older children. The adoption process considers the best interests of the child and matches them with suitable parents.
Yes, there may be financial assistance and benefits available for single women adopting a child, such as adoption grants, subsidies, and tax benefits. These provisions can vary based on the adoption agency, state regulations, and individual circumstances.
The adoption of a child internationally by single women in India are governed by the laws and regulations of both India and the foreign country involved. It is important to understand and comply with the adoption policies and procedures of both countries.
Yes, single women have access to government adoption agencies in India. These agencies guide and facilitate the adoption process, provide counselling and support, and help match prospective parents with legally available children.
The first step for single women interested in adoption is to contact a recognized adoption agency in their state or region. The agency will provide information on the adoption process, requirements, and guide the prospective parent through the necessary steps.
The adoption process duration can vary for single women. It depends on factors such as availability of children, completion of paperwork, home study assessments, and legal procedures. The process typically takes several months to a year or more. Patience and cooperation with the adoption agency are essential throughout the process.
Here are 8 adoption rules that single women, who wish to adopt, should be aware of.
According to the Juvenile Justice Act [PDF] that was amended in 2006, adoption means, “The process through which the adopted child is permanently separated from his biological parents and becomes the legitimate child of his adoptive parents with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities that are attached with the relationship.”
There are multiple hurdles and obstacles faced by single Indian women who want to adopt. Here are the most common ones.
I asked my aunt, who is married and has an adopted daughter, what she thought of the adoption agencies. “It worked well for me,” she said. When I asked her the next question, “And for a single mother?”
This was her reply: “I know of someone in Pune who is trying right now, but she is having quite a tough time. They keep delaying her process on some pretext or the other.”
She is not the only one. Despite there being a law wherein single women in India are allowed to adopt, there are still many agencies across the country that make it tough for single women.
A practicing child psychiatrist in Calcutta, with an adopted child of her own, went on to tell me that she knows of a few divorced single mothers who, “Faced the greatest obstacle from their own parents who said that they were being selfish for not providing a father to the adopted child and that they should re-marry soon.”
As the idea of two parents raising a child has been so ingrained in our minds, it’s tough for anyone to accept single motherhood very easily.
When I asked a lady who works with an NGO in Delhi, and who I used to be a tenant of a few years back, her thoughts on the hurdles of single motherhood, she said, “Society’s views are very narrow-minded regarding this group and everyone wants to know about the whereabouts of the father.”
Unfortunate but true. Thus begins the battle for respect by most single mothers in India.
A few institutions have mandatorily implemented the use of the mother’s middle or maiden name during admission. But there are still many who refuse admission when the child does not have a birth certificate and a father’s name.
The transition from being an independent ‘freedom enjoying’ woman to one who begins to share her life with another life is not easy. Motherhood is a demanding role even in homes where a partner might be available to pitch in with the household chores.
While co-parenting has its own challenges, single parenting can also cause a lot of stress to the single mother. After a hectic day at work when single mothers might long for moments of solitude, they find themselves often burdened by guilt.
A friend of my college professor has had good luck when it came to parental support. However, her greatest hurdle was, “When a few people who I used to think of as my friends decided to tell my child (that she was adopted) before I was ready.” Truly, this decision is best left to the single mother.
Here few resources and support groups that you should check out, when you are considering adoption in India.
Many NGOs, such as Sudatta, help single women in India to cope with this change in their lives. Joining one might help you to form a support group of other like-minded ladies who could share their experiences and advice.
The constant availability of chats and information sharing on various groups globally on the web help a lot. For example, the People’s Group for Child Adoption in India has over 700 online members who offer mentoring to those planning to adopt.
Books on adoption can act as good guides. Some of these are:
The scepticism of adoptive agencies as well as the doubts raised by others will reduce when they see how well-prepared, committed and confident you are in adopting a child. Evaluate your financial situation minutely so that you are able to show the agency exactly how you plan to provide for your child in the future. Prepare yourself mentally to welcome a new person into your life.
To all those women who have embraced motherhood through adoption, a huge round of applause. Your choice is heart-warming indeed.
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Written By Aditi Bose for Women’s Web.
Image via CanvaPro
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