Pros and Cons of Public Domestic Adoption
Factors to Consider When Adopting a Child from Within Canada
Dec 2, 2008
As one of three adoption processes in Canada, giving a child a permanent home through public domestic adoption is a rewarding but sometimes challenging process. Facilitated through government departments and Children’s Aid Societies (CAS), public domestic adoptions focus on which family situation is best for the child, rather than meeting the needs of the adopting parents.
According to Canada’s Waiting Kids, 22,000 children are available for adoption through Canada’s foster care system. Most of these children are over the age of three, with the average age being eight.
For families thinking about opening their hearts and homes to kids who have been waiting in the foster care system, here are some factors to consider.
Pros of Public Domestic Adoption
If adopting parents keep in mind that all decisions are made in the child’s best interest, it is easier to see how public domestic adoptions can be a positive experience for both the adopting family and the child.
- There are no costs associated with public adoption, however fees will be charged for homestudies completed by private adoption practitioners and some adoption training courses.
- It is possible for children adopted through government agencies to maintain contact with members of the birth family and siblings. This is in the best interest of many of the kids adopted publicly as they get older and want to explore their early relationships.
- To be available for adoption, children need to be crown wards so there is little chance of birth parents changing their mind, as their parental rights have been terminated.
- There is a possibility of bringing an infant home from the hospital for a foster-to-adopt situation, but on the downside, this child may be returned to the birth family before the child becomes a crown ward.
- The adoption process can be relatively short if considering a special needs child. Special needs children in this case refer to kids who are of a different race, have emotional, behavioural, physical or developmental issues that need support, older children, and sibling groups.
There is also often a transition process for children when entering the adoptive home that the agency supports, especially for older children.
Cons of Public Domestic Adoption
All adoption processes that lead to the bringing home of a child are worthwhile experiences, regardless of the complexities. However, there are some challenges that are unique to public adoptions.
- Many children in foster care have social, emotional and health issues due to abuse and prenatal exposure to substances that future adoptive parents need to prepare for such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
- If wanting a healthy newborn baby, there is a seven to eight year wait in most provinces and even then there is no guarantee that the placement will be made.
- Waiting lists to begin the adoption process and have a homestudy completed can be long depending on the province or territory.
- There are many regulations and criteria that need to be met before an adoption placement can be arranged. Public domestic adoptions are under provincial jurisdiction, so laws can change rapidly and vary from province to province.
Adopting an older child or one with special needs through the public adoption process is a unique parenting challenge. All kids deserve a permanent home to call their own and children available through government adoption agencies need loving families who are up to the challenge.
For information on other adoption processes in Canada read Pros and Cons of International Adoption and How to Adopt a Child Through an Adoption Agency.
References
CanadaAdopts! website
Hilborn, Robin. Waiting Kids in Canada: All About Domestic Adoption. Ontario,Canada: Family Helper Publishing, 2004.
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