More CCAA Rules Fallout
Family DeniedPatricia Mounts has adopted three children and was planning on adopting more from China. But sweeping changes in China's adoption system will guarantee the 62-year-old Valparaiso woman -- and many others -- will never be able to permanently cradle another Chinese baby in their arms.
In May, adoption restrictions will go into affect in China prohibiting anyone who is older than 50, single, obese, poor, or physically or psychologically ill from adopting. Those looking to adopt must also have at least a high school diploma, and cannot have a criminal record. They must be married for at least two years, or be married for at least five years if either spouse had been previously divorced...
China's flexible adoption rules were why Mounts turned to the country in the first place. She was 52 when she adopted from China, and had been turned away from other countries that said she was too old. Mounts said she had been depending on China for her fourth adopted baby in the near future. Now that the rules have changed, her adopting days are over.
posted by Ray at 5:48 AM
4 Comments:
I don't mean to be insensitive. But, why should a 62 y.o. be allowed to adopt? 60 may be the new 50 (maybe), but 80 is still 80, and it doesn't seem to me to be in the best interest of an 18 y.o. to have an 80 y.o. parent. it would be different if the annual allocation of children from China exceeded demand.
It's all about the children. Since there are more parents than children, doesn't China have an obligation to chose situations that are the least likely to result in further disruption in the child's life?
Mike,
According to our agency's China dossier packet, which I assume reflects the CCAA's rules prior to the December 8 meeting, no one over the age of 55 could adopt from China under any circumstances. Under the new rules, they moved that back to age 50. So even under the old rules, Ms. Mounts would not be able to adopt.
As to why a 62 year-old would want to adopt, you'd have to ask her. Personally, I think I'd consider myself done raising children at that age. I'm 43 and my wife is 40 and we know for sure this is our last go around. If anyone wants to tackle parenthood at an older age, more power to 'em.
"If anyone wants to tackle parenthood at an older age, more power to 'em." Again, my concern isn't the parent, it's the child, and the increased likelihood that child will experience a disruption in her/his life before reaching adulthood. Seems to me with 62 y.o. parents, that's a significant risk.
Mike,
The point I was trying to make is that there is no one universally agreed upon magical age after which one should stop having/adopting children. China has set a limit of 50 (down from 55) and naturally those over 50 who were looking to adopt are going to be put off by that.
Do I think that it preferable to embark on parenthood at a younger age. Yes, that would be my opinion. Is 62 too old to become a parent to an infant or toddler. Yes, I would think so, and for the reasons you stated (child's interests are paramount).
Once you start setting limits, like China has (always) done, that some people see as arbitrary, there's going to be some protest, sometimes from a small number of people who the newspapers always seem to find.
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