2008 ISS/IRC Study
The International Reference Centre for the Rights of Children Deprived of Their Family (ISS/IRC) have published a study on the adoption of older children.
The document presents an evaluation of the state of these adoptions and highlights the principles that are to be respected to ensure the best possible chance of success.
The study aims to give priority to meeting the needs of older children and the expectations of the adoption applicants. From this point of view, the document provides an assessment of the state of such adoptions and highlights the principles that need to be respected in order to ensure the best possible chances of a successful adoption.
At the end of its analysis, the ISS/IRC study concludes that the adoption of older children succeeds, on average, no less well off than the adoption of babies, on the condition that these children and their adoptive family are prepared and accompanied. However, it's true that their integration into their new family, social and school environment seems a little slower and convoluted than that of their younger peers. Bonding and behavioural difficulties may in particular manifest themselves during the first months after their arrival. But very often, these shortcomings disappear once the child has fully been integrated into his environment. Unfortunately, the possibility of these difficulties seems to create enough fear in certain applicants to dissuade them. Consequently, it becomes a matter of urgency to show that the adoption of older children, if it is correctly carried out and adequately supported, is possible, desirable and often turns out very well.
Related Resources
'Adopting an Institutionalized Child: What are the Risks?'Dana Johnson, 2007
Click here to read an excerpt from this helpful report, with a link to the full article.
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