Debate on relaxing India's adoption procedures amidst long waiting periods
A debate addresses whether India should relax its adoption procedures, prompted by long waiting periods for prospective parents (13 parents for every child available). While some argue that strict procedures cause delays, experts like Aloma Lobo and Smriti Gupta contend that the procedures are crucial for preventing child trafficking and ensuring safe placements. They emphasize that the primary issue is the scarcity of children legally free for adoption, not the procedures themselves. Many abandoned or orphaned children in shelters are not evaluated for adoptability, and the term "orphan" is often loosely applied. The discussion highlights the need to bring more eligible children into the legal adoption pool and improve post-adoption support and training for parents, especially for those adopting older children or children with special needs.
Key Points
- The long waiting period for child adoption in India is primarily due to a scarcity of children legally free for adoption, rather than overly strict procedures.
- Existing adoption procedures are essential safeguards against child trafficking and improper placements, ensuring the child's safety and well-being.
- Many abandoned and orphaned children in shelters are not being evaluated or brought into the legal adoption pool, contributing to the shortage.
- There is a critical need to streamline the process of identifying and declaring children legally free for adoption, especially those in institutional care.
- Improvements are required in post-adoption support, training, and counseling for prospective parents, particularly for those considering older children or children with special needs.
Exam Facts
- Data from the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) indicates 13 parents wait for every child free for adoption.
- The Supreme Court has directed CARA to streamline adoption processes.
- The 2020 World Orphan Report estimated 3.1 crore orphans in India, but only about 2,000 children are in CARA's pool.
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