Adoption Rights for Single

Parents: Why are its laws

are so strict?

By Abhishek
 Agenda

A
• Introduction And History

• About Adoption rights

and its laws

• Laws for single parents

• Procedures

• Case study

• Summary
Adoption Rights for Single Parents: Why are its law 2
s are so strict?
 Introduction
Adoption is a life-changing decision that provides loving homes to
children in need. However, adoption laws often impose strict
regulations on single parents seeking to adopt. In this presentation,
we will explore the reasons behind these strict laws for single parents.
We will examine the historical context, societal perspectives, and the
best interests of the child as factors influencing these regulations. By
understanding the underlying reasons, we can reflect on the
implications for single individuals seeking to adopt. Additionally, we
will discuss efforts to advocate for more inclusive adoption policies
that recognize the abilities and strengths of single parents.

Adoption Rights for Single Parents: Why are its law 3

s are so strict?
 History of adoption for single
parents
In India, the history of adoption for single parents has seen significant
changes over time. Initially, adoption was primarily limited to married
couples, and single individuals, including single parents, faced challenges
in adopting children. However, over the years, societal attitudes and legal
frameworks have evolved. The Juvenile Justice Act of 2015 played a
crucial role in expanding adoption opportunities for single parents by
removing the requirement of being a married couple to adopt. This legal
change recognized the ability of single individuals to provide a nurturing
environment for children. Today, single-parent adoption is increasingly
accepted in India, with adoption agencies and social services evaluating
potential adoptive parents based on their ability to provide a stable and
loving home, irrespective of their marital status.

Adoption Rights for Single Parents: Why are its law 4

s are so strict?
About Adoption rights and its laws
“Adoption – because family isn’t made from blood, it’s made
from love.”
 In India, adoption laws and regulations are governed by the Juvenile Justice (Care and
Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the Adoption Regulations, 2017. The laws in
India recognize the rights of both single individuals and married couples to adopt
children. Here is an overview of adoption rights and laws for single parents and
married couples in India:

Single parents Married couples

• Eligibility: Single individuals, regardless of • Eligibility: Married couples, regardless of
their marital status, can adopt in India. their duration of marriage, can adopt a child
They need to meet certain eligibility in India. They need to meet certain eligibility
criteria, such as being at least 25 years old
criteria, such as being at least 25 years old and having a stable marital relationship.
and at least 21 years older than the child
they wish to adopt. • Joint Adoption: In India, married couples are
encouraged to adopt jointly, where both
• Single Female Parent: Single women can spouses become legal parents of the
adopt children of any gender. They have adopted child. Joint adoption ensures equal
the option to adopt as individuals, and rights and responsibilities for both parents.
they are not required to be married. • Same-Sex Couples: Same-sex couples are
• Single Male Parent: Single men can only not explicitly recognized under Indian
adoption laws. However, individual members
adopt male children. However, single male of same-sex couples can adopt as single
adoption is relatively uncommon in India. parents, subject to meeting the eligibility
criteria.

Adoption Rights for Single Parents: Why are its law 6

s are so strict?
 Laws for single parents
“Adoption is not about finding children for families, it's about finding
families for children.”

Adoption Rights for Single Parents: Why are its

7
laws are so strict?
 In India, single parents have the right to adopt a child under the
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and
the Adoption Regulations, 2017. Here are the key laws and
guidelines regarding adoption for single parents in India:

• Eligibility: Single individuals, regardless of their marital status, are eligible to adopt a child. They need to meet certain
criteria, such as being at least 25 years old and at least 21 years older than the child they wish to adopt.
• Single Female Parent: Single women can adopt a child of any gender. They have the option to adopt as individuals
and are not required to be married.
• Single Male Parent: Single men can only adopt male children. However, single male adoption is relatively uncommon
in India.
• Documentation: Single parents interested in adoption need to submit relevant documents, including proof of identity,
age, address, income, and health certificates.
• Home Study: Adoption agencies conduct a home study to assess the suitability of the single parent's home
environment and their ability to provide a nurturing and stable environment for the child.
• Matching and Referral: Adoption agencies consider the preferences and requirements of both the single parent and
the child to find a suitable match. The agency provides information and referral of children available for adoption.
• Pre-Adoption Foster Care: Single parents are typically required to undergo a pre-adoption foster care period, during
which they spend time with the child before the adoption is finalized. This period allows for bonding and adjustment.
• Adoption Order: Once the pre-adoption foster care period is complete and the court is satisfied, an adoption order is
issued, legally formalizing the adoption and granting the single parent all the rights and responsibilities of a parent.
 Procedures
“What makes you a man is not the ability to make a child, it’s
the courage to raise one.” — Barack Obama

Adoption Rights for Single Parents: Why are its

9
laws are so strict?
 The adoption procedures for single parents and married couples in India involve
several steps and are regulated by the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of
Children) Act, 2015, and the Adoption Regulations, 2017. Here is an overview of
the adoption process for both single parents and married couples:

1.Registrati 5. Meeting and Bonding

on
2.Home Study 6. Legal Process

3. Adoption Orientation and Training: 7.Court Approval

4. Child Referral 8. Post-Adoption

Follow-up
Adoption Rights for Single Parents: Why are its law 10
s are so strict?
 Case study
“Little souls find their way to you, whether they’re from your
womb or someone else’s.” — Sheryl Crow

Presentation title 11
 The Youngest single parent in India

“Only a woman can take care of a child.”

So many of us have grown up believing this or still do. While parenting is a two-person job, dads don't really
get the credit they deserve. But Aditya Tiwari, a software engineer from Pune did something exceptional which
made him win the honour of "world's best mommy" on International's women's day this year. He had applied
for adopting Binny, a child with down syndrome to one of the private child adoption agencies in India. His
application got rejected because he did not attain 30 years which is the legal age for adopting a child in India
and that, he is not married. The matter was investigated upon, and it was found that Binny along with other
children was prepared to send to Delhi for illegal foreign adoption. But now Aditya’s matter was taken into
consideration and the law regarding the minimum age for adopting a child got reduced to 25 years by the
parliament. On January 01, 2016, Aditya Tiwari became the youngest single parent in the country to adopt a
special needs child, Binny.
Even though Aditya and Binny (whose official name is Avnish) found their family in each other, the journey
wasn't as easy as it seems. In India, where the topic of adoption itself raises eyebrows, coupled with stringent
laws, getting Binny home wasn't easy. Aditya spent six months convincing authorities as to why, he, a single
man, just 27 years old was fit to raise a child with Down's Syndrome. From then to starting his own welfare
society, raising awareness, he is just the dedicated father and an inspiring figure for a lot of us.
Adoption Rights for Single Parents: Why are its law 12
s are so strict?
 Aditya and Binny

Adoption Rights for Single Parents: Why are its law 13

s are so strict?
 Adoption laws regarding single
parents vary across countries, and in
the case of India, single parents have
the right to adopt. However, the laws
are strict to ensure the best interests

Summar
of the child. These strict regulations
aim to assess the parenting capacity

y
of single parents, provide stability
and a nurturing environment,
prevent child trafficking, and balance
legal and social considerations. The
goal is to find loving and suitable
homes for children in need of
adoption, while prioritizing their
well-being and protection.
Adoption Rights for Single Parents: Why are its
14
laws are so strict?
 Abhishek

23BCAHH010027
Thank Professional
you Communication

“The world may not change if you adopt a

child, but for that child their world will
change.”