This document provides an overview of key concepts related to children and adoption. It begins by defining what is meant by a child and childhood, explaining that childhood is a social construct that varies between cultures. It then discusses different perspectives on understanding children and childhood from various social science fields. The document also defines important terms related to adoption, describes the roles of adoption social workers, and outlines children's rights and the principles of child protection.

2. CONTENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• MEANING OF ADOPTION AND ITS FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
• KEY TERMS AND TERMINOLOGY
• WHAT DOES AN ADOPTION SOCIAL CASE WORKER DO?
• CHILD RIGHTS AND CHILD PROTECTION
• RELATED AGENCY OR ORGANISATION
• REFERENCES

3. INTRODUCTION
• WHO IS CHILD ?
• WHAT IS CHILDHOOD ?
• THE CHILDHOOD A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT
• DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND APPROACHES OF UNDERSTANDING CHILD AND CHILDHOOD

4. WHO IS CHILD?
• A CHILD HAS MANY DIMENSIONS TO IT.
• YOUNG AND SMALL
• INNOCENT, NAUGHTY, CAREFREE AND PLAYFUL
• AN IMMATURE OR IRRESPONSIBLE PERSON
• A YOUNG HUMAN BEING BELOW THE AGE OF PUBERTY OR BELOW THE LEGAL AGE OF MAJORITY
• AS PER LEGAL DIMENSION, A CHILD IS ANY YOUNG PERSON BELOW 18 YEARS OLD.
• THUS A CHILD IS NOT YOUNG AND SMALL ONLY.

5. WHAT IS CHILDHOOD?
• CHILD HOOD IS A PHASE OF THE YOUNG PERSONS LIFE DURING THE YEARS OF BEING A CHILD AND IS A
COMBINATION OF GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT , EXPERIENCES, LIFE SITUATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND
UNDERSTANDING.
• IT IS THE AGE SPAN RANGING FROM BIRTH TO ADOLESCENCE.
• UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS A PERIOD OF NEGLECT, HARSH TREATMENT, ABUSE, DEPRIVATION AND
DESCRIMINATION.
• IN SITUATIONS LIKE POVERTY, DESCRIMINATION DUE TO CASTE AND CLASS DIFFERENCES, GENDER, LACK
OF EDUCATION AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ETC A CHILD HOOD CAN BE PERIOD OF DISTRESS, ANXIETY AND
FEAR.

6. CHIDHOOD A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT
• WHEN WE REFER TO A CHILDHOOD A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT IT MEANS THAT THIS TERM IS NOT AN INNATE
CATEGORY OR INHERENT CATEGORY. IT IS AN IDEA THAT HAS BEEN CREATED AND ACCEPTED BY SOCIETY
BASED ON COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL PRACTICES.
• THUS CHILDHOOD AS A PHASE IS A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT THAT MEANS THAT SOCIETY HAS CREATED THIS
CATEGORY AS A PHASE REQUIRING A SPECIAL ATTENTION AND CARE.

7. DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND APPROACHES OF UNDERSTANDING
CHILD AND CHILDHOOD
• THERE ARE DIFFERENT THEORIES AND APPROACHES WITHIN SOCIAL SCIENCE TO UNDERSTAND CHILD AND CHILDHOOD. NO
ONE THEORY CAN FULLY EXPLAIN ALL ASPECTS OF A HUMAN BEING AS HUMAN LIVES ARE COMPLEX AND
MULTIDIMENSIONAL.
• EACH THEORY OR APPROCH FOCUSON CERTAIN ASPECTS OR DIMENSION OF HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
• FOR EXAMPLE, THERE ARE THEORIES RELATED TO COGNITIVIE DEVELOPMENT, MORAL DEVELOPMENT, PSYCHOSOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT, PSYCHO-SEXUAL ETC.
• THERE ARE OTHER THEORIES RELATED TO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMAN LIFE AND ENVIRONMENT, SITUATIONS AND
EVENTS IMPACTING THE COURSE OF LIFE.
• WITHIN THE DOMAIN OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY , ANTHROPOLOGY,LAWS AND LEGISLATIONS VIEW
CHILD AND CHILDHOOD ON DIFFERENT ASPECTS

8. ADOPTION
• ADOPTION BRINGS A CHILD BORN TO OTHER PARENTS INTO A NEW FAMILY.
• ADOPTION MEANS A LEGAL PROCESS THAT ALLOWS SOMEONE TO BECOME THE PARENT OF A CHILD, EVEN
THOUGH THE PARENT AND CHILD ARE NOT RELATED BY BLOOD.
• ADOPTION IS A LEGAL PROCESS BY WHICH A CHILD IS PLACED WITH A MARRIED COUPLE WHO AGREE TO
RAISE HER AS THEIR OWN CHILD AND ASSUME ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HER.

9. THE OBJECTIVES OF ADOPTION:
1. TO GET OLD-AGE PROTECTION BY THE ADOPTED CHILD.
2. TO PERPETUATE FAMILY NAME AND FAME.
3. TO KEEP SECURED THE FAMILY PROPERTY.

10. TYPES OF ADOPTION
• OPEN ADOPTION
• SEMI-OPEN ADOPTION
• CLOSED ADOPTION
• INTRA-FAMILY ADOPTION
• DOMESTIC ADOPTION
• INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION

11. OPEN ADOPTION
• IN AN OPEN ADOPTION, THE BIRTH MOTHER CAN ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO THE CHILD, EVEN AFTER
ADOPTION. SHE IS ALLOWED TO VISIT THE CHILD, COMMUNICATE WITH HER, ETC
• ACCESS IS GENERALLY GRANTED WHEN THE CHILD REACHES ADULT AGE-18 YEARS IN MOST COUNTRIES.

12. SEMI-OPEN ADOPTION
• A SEMI-OPEN ADOPTION IS SIMILAR TO AN OPEN ADOPTION, EXCEPT THAT THE BIRTH MOTHER DOES NOT
HAVE ANY PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE CHILD AFTER ADOPTION.
• PRIOR TO THE ADOPTION, THE MOTHER IS PERMITTED TO MEET THE ADOPTIVE PARENTS.

13. CLOSED ADOPTION
• CLOSED ADOPTION REFERS TO AN ADOPTION PROCESS WHERE THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO CONTACT
BETWEEN THE MOTHER AND THE ADOPTIVE PARENTS, NEITHER BEFORE NOR AFTER THE ADOPTION

14. INTRA-FAMILY ADOPTION
• ADOPTION CAN BE UNDERTAKEN EVEN WITHIN A FAMILY. INTRA-FAMILY ADOPTION COMMONLY REFERS TO A
CHILD BEING LEGALLY ADOPTED BY A STEP-PARENT, AFTER THE BIOLOGICAL PARENT HAS REMARRIED

15. DOMESTIC ADOPTION
• A DOMESTIC ADOPTION REFERS TO AN ADOPTION INVOLVING A MOTHER AND ADOPTIVE PARENTS WHO
ARE CITIZENS OF THE SAME COUNTRY. THIS TYPE OF ADOPTION MAY ALSO BE REFERRED TO AS INTRA-
COUNTRY ADOPTION. IN THIS PROCESS, A COUPLE WISHING TO ADOPT A CHILD WILL REGISTER
THEMSELVES WITH A GOVERNMENT-RECOGNISED AGENCY. AFTER REGISTRATION, THEIR PERSONAL
DETAILS WILL BE CHECKED, AND THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER WILL CERTIFY IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO
ADOPT A CHILD.

16. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNING
ADOPTION
• THE FOLLOWING FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES SHALL GOVERN ADOPTIONS OF CHILDREN FROM INDIA, NAMELY:-
1. THE CHILD'S BEST INTERESTS SHALL BE OF PARAMOUNT CONSIDERATION, WHILE PROCESSING ANY
ADOPTION PLACEMENT;
2. PREFERENCE SHALL BE GIVEN TO PLACE THE CHILD IN ADOPTION WITH INDIAN CITIZENS AND WITH DUE
REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLE OF PLACEMENT OF THE CHILD IN HIS OWN SOCIO-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT, AS
FAR AS POSSIBLE;
3. ALL ADOPTIONS SHALL BE REGISTERED ON CHILD ADOPTION RESOURCE INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE
SYSTEM AND
4. THE CONFIDENTIALITY SHALL BE MAINTAINED BY THE AUTHORITY

17. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PROSPECTIVE
ADOPTIVE PARENTS.-
• (1) THE PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS SHALL BE PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY STABLE,
FINANCIALLY CAPABLE AND SHALL NOT HAVE ANY LIFE THREATENING MEDICAL CONDITION.
• (2) ANY PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF HIS MARITAL STATUS AND WHETHER OR NOT HE
HAS BIOLOGICAL SON OR DAUGHTER, CAN ADOPT A CHILD SUBJECT TO FOLLOWING, NAMELY:-
• (A) THE CONSENT OF BOTH THE SPOUSES FOR THE ADOPTION SHALL BE REQUIRED, IN CASE OF A MARRIED COUPLE;
• (B) A SINGLE FEMALE CAN ADOPT A CHILD OF ANY GENDER;
• (C) A SINGLE MALE SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO ADOPT A GIRL CHILD;
• (3) NO CHILD SHALL BE GIVEN IN ADOPTION TO A COUPLE UNLESS THEY HAVE AT LEAST TWO YEARS OF STABLE
MARITAL RELATIONSHIP

18. CONTINUE...
• [4] THE AGE OF PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS-

19. KEY TERMS AND TERMINOLOGY

20. CONTINUE...
• VULNERABILITY-
• THE QUALITY OR STATE OF BEING EXPOSED TO THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING ATTACKED OR HARMED, EITHER PHYSICALLY
OR EMOTIONALLY.
• MARGINALIZATION-
• TO PUT OR KEEP (SOMEONE) IN A POWERLESS OR UNIMPORTANT POSITION WITHIN A SOCIETY OR GROUP
• THE PROCESS WHEREBY SOMETHING OR SOMEONE IS PUSHED TO THE EDGE OF A GROUP AND ACCORDED LESSER
IMPORTANCE.

21. CONTINUE...
• VIOLENCE- ACTIONS OR WORDS THAT ARE INTENDED TO HURT PEOPLE.
• ABUSE- TO USE SOMETHING FOR THE WRONG PURPOSE IN A WAY THAT IS HARMFUL OR MORALLY WRONG
• MALTREATMENT- CRUEL OR VIOLENT TREATMENT OF A PERSON OR ANIMAL; MISTREATMENT
• EXPLOITATION-THE ACTION OR FACT OF TREATING SOMEONE UNFAIRLY IN ORDER TO BENEFIT FROM THEIR
WORK
• NEGLECT- IT IS THE ONGOING FAILURE TO MEET A CHILD'S BASIC NEEDS AND IS THE MOST COMMON
FORM OF CHILD ABUSE

22. WHAT DOES AN ADOPTION SOCIAL CASE
WORKER DO?
• AN ADOPTION SOCIAL WORKER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPPORTING BOTH THE BIRTH AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES DURING THE ADOPTION PROCESS.
• THEY MAY PERFORM OR ASSIST WITH HOME STUDIES, PARENT BACKGROUND CHECKS, PARENT COUNSELING AND THE POST-PLACEMENT
PROCESS.
• TO ENSURE A STABLE ADOPTIVE MATCH, SOCIAL WORKERS MAY EVALUATE THE HOME LIFE AND BACKGROUND OF POTENTIAL ADOPTIVE FAMILIES
WORK WITH BIRTH FAMILIES TO ESTABLISH THEIR LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT AND ASSESS THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE ADOPTED CHILD
• SOCIAL WORKERS WITH EXPERIENCE IN ADOPTION CASES MAY ALSO WORK ON RESEARCH, POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND CLIENT ADVOCACY.
• ADOPTION SOCIAL WORKERS MAY WORK FOR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OR ADOPTION AGENCIES AND CAN BE INVOLVED WITH INTERNATIONAL
ADOPTIONS OF CHILDREN FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, OR FACILITATING THE ADOPTION OF LOCAL CHILDREN WHO ARE IN THE CARE OF THE
GOVERNMENT
• THEY SCREEN POTENTIAL FAMILIES AND PROVIDE COUNSELING THROUGH THE PROCESS TO TRY TO ENSURE CHILDREN WHO ARE ADOPTED
BECOME PART OF A STABLE, LOVING FAMILY.

23. CONTINUE...
• EVALUATING THE SUITABILITY OF HOMES AND FAMILIES THAT WISH TO ADOPT CHILDREN;
• ASSESSING THE DEVELOPMENTAL, SOCIAL, COGNITIVE, AND CULTURAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN AVAILABLE
FOR ADOPTION IN ORDER TO MATCH THEM WITH AN APPROPRIATE ADOPTIVE HOME;
• WORKING WITH BIRTH FAMILIES TO DETERMINE THEIR CAPACITIES TO CONTINUE TO PARENT AND TO BE
INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILDREN’S LIVES AND/OR TO POTENTIALLY DEAL WITH TERMINATION OF PARENTAL
RIGHTS;
• HELPING WITH PLACEMENT TRANSITIONS; AND
• PROVIDING FOR POST-ADOPTION SERVICES TO ENSURE LASTING AND STRONG ADOPTIVE FAMILIES.

24. CHILD RIGHTS
• ACCORDING TO THE UNCRC CHILD RIGHTS ARE MINIMUM ENTITLEMENTS AND FREEDOMS THAT SHOULD
BE AFFORDED TO ALL PERSONS BELOW THE AGE OF 18 REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, GENDER, LANGUAGE,
RELIGION, OPINIONS, ORIGINS, WEALTH, BIRTH STATUS OR ABILITY AND THEREFORE APPLY TO ALL PEOPLE
EVERYWHERE.
• THERE ARE FOUR BROAD CLASSIFICATIONS OF THESE RIGHTS. THESE FOUR CATEGORIES COVER ALL CIVIL,
POLITICAL, SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL RIGHTS OF EVERY CHILD.

25. CONTINUED...
• RIGHT TO SURVIVAL: A CHILD'S RIGHT TO SURVIVAL BEGINS BEFORE A CHILD IS BORN. ACCORDING TO
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, A CHILD LIFE BEGINS AFTER TWENTY WEEKS OF CONCEPTION. HENCE THE RIGHT TO
SURVIVAL IS INCLUSIVE OF THE CHILD RIGHTS TO BE BORN, RIGHT TO MINIMUM STANDARDS OF FOOD,
SHELTER AND CLOTHING, AND THE RIGHT TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY.
• RIGHT TO PROTECTION: A CHILD HAS THE RIGHT TO BE PROTECTED FROM NEGLECT, EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE
AT HOME, AND ELSEWHERE.
• RIGHT TO PARTICIPATION: A CHILD HAS A RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY DECISION MAKING THAT INVOLVES
HIM/HER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY. THERE ARE VARYING DEGREES OF PARTICIPATION AS PER THE AGE AND
MATURITY OF THE CHILD.
• RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT: CHILDREN HAVE THE RIGHT TO ALL FORMS OF DEVELOPMENT: EMOTIONAL, MENTAL
AND PHYSICAL. EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS FULFILLED BY PROPER CARE AND LOVE OF A SUPPORT SYSTEM,
MENTAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EDUCATION AND LEARNING AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH
RECREATION, PLAY AND NUTRITION.

26. CHILD PROTECTION
• UNICEF CONSIDERS CHILD PROTECTION AS THE PREVENTION OF OR RESPONDING TO THE INCIDENCE OF
ABUSE, EXPLOITATION, VIOLENCE AND NEGLECT OF CHILDREN.
• THIS INCLUDES COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION, TRAFFICKING, CHILD LABOUR AND HARMFUL
TRADITIONAL PRACTICES, SUCH AS FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION/CUTTING AND CHILD MARRIAGE.
• ACCORDING TO THE INTEGRATED CHILD PROTECTION SCHEME (ICPS) CHILD PROTECTION IS ABOUT
KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE FROM A RISK OR PERCEIVED RISK TO THEIR LIVES OR CHILDHOOD.
• IT IS ABOUT RECOGNIZING THAT CHILDREN ARE VULNERABLE AND HENCE REDUCING THEIR
VULNERABILITY BY PROTECTING THEM FROM HARM AND HARMFUL SITUATIONS.

27. RELATED AGENCY OR ORGANISATION
• CARA- CENTRAL ADOPTION RESOURCE AUTHORITY
• CHILDREN OF THE WORLD (INDIA) TRUST
• DELHI COUNCIL OF CHILD WELFARE (DCCW)
• INDIAN ASSOCIATION FOR PROMOTION OF ADOPTION (IAPA)
• FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE (FSC)
• VATHSALYA CHARITABLE TRUST
• CATALYST FOR SOCIAL ACTION (CSA)

28. REFERENCES
• HTTPS://MEDLINEPLUS.GOV/ADOPTION.HTML
• HTTPS://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/ADOPTION
• HTTP://CARA.NIC.IN/
• HTTP://WWW.INDIAPARENTING.COM/ADOPTION/3_3282/TYPES-OF-ADOPTION.HTML
• HTTP://WWW.CHILDLINEINDIA.ORG.IN/CHILD-PROTECTION-CHILD-RIGHTS-INDIA.HTM