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The Nilima Mehta Chat

Shatal: Yes parents who are capable of having a biological child can also adopt.

Fee Male: Single parenting is certainly a challenge however if there is a support system available in the extended family or the friends of the adopted parent it would be relatively easier.

What guarantees do the adoption centres require when they screen prospective parents?

Caroline: Experince is shown that infants adapt best into their adoptive families however even grown-up chlidren up to the age of six have integrated well into their adoptive families .

Ms.MEhta.. it's obvious you don't want to answer my question. so I will ask another..regarding Caroline's question.. does your answer mean that if the child wants to know about it's biological parents, you give the information?

Caroline: The legal procedure requires the parents to submit a set of documents like medical certificates financial statements recommendation lettters and it is supported by a" Home study report" prepared by a licensed /recognised child welfare agency .

SHATAL: We are not permitted to reveal the identity of the biological parents as there is a confidentaility agreement that prevents us from doing it. Which question are you referring to that hasn't been answered?

Ms Mehta.. what if the father is a muslim and the mother a Hindu? how difficult will it get to adopt? and why does it tyake a such long time before we can take the baby home?

Ms Mehta, If biological child is not possible or chances are very less of having a biological child, when couple should adopt?, I mean whether they should wait for few years or they should do it early?. Do younger couples adopt?

Do the authorities make you promise a particular type of education,food,health programme?What happens if the "parent" is found lacking?

SHATAL: Under the Hindu adoption law the father is the adoption petitioner and the mother is only a consenting party . So its only the Hindu petitioner who is allowed to adopt under the Hindu adoption act. It is not difficult to "Adopt" a child under the gaurdians and wards act. The legal process takes a long time because the Govt of India has introduced new guidelines for intercountry adoption.

Why is there only a Hindu adoption law....what happens to Christian,Muslim,and other kids?

NKJ: Mmore and more uyoung couples are considering adoption as an option for parenting at an early stage rather than as a last resort. With the development of new assisted reproductive technologies many parents want to exhaust the possbilities of having a biological child. The decision to adopt is a very persoanl one and couples have to be emotionally ready to accept that parenthood through adoption can be as gratifying as biological parenthood.

Last two questions please.

Caroline: Adoptive parents need to provide a nurturing and loving environement and the ability to provide the for the needs of the child.

Madam, pls tell me is it better to adopt from family or any unknown child.

Thank you for answering my questions.All the very best to you in your good work. Please try to do something for us to adopt Indian kids

more) this is ensured through a detailed home study report prior to adoption and through post adoption follow-up

NKJ: In my experience adoptions that have been done within a family have some difficulty when rthe child is growing up because of the divided loyalties betweeen "two sets " of parents. The severing of ties is never complete with the biological parents and hence the adoptive parents experience apprehensions about the childs emotional bonding with them . Children who are unrelated experience a sense of belonging to their adoptive parents since they have not known any other set of parents.

Ms Mehta.. if I adopt a new born baby, when will be able to get it home..?

I think adoption is a beautiful way of building families it meets reciprocal needs . The need of a homeless child for a home and the need of a childles family for a child. Bye , I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Thanks Nilimaji for your answer, in our society till now it is preffered that adoption should be from within family. Family members even plan child for adoption for their relative like brothers or sisters why is it so?

Thank YOu Ms Mehta. it was nice talking to you..

Thanks Nilimaji, my qt remains unaswered. anyway i will keep it for next time.

is the chat over?

is the chat over?