Adoptive parents in state prefer infants over older children: Data | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: There has been growing awareness around adoption, but govt data reveals a clear preference for infants in the state. Most adoptive parents prefer children aged between 0 and 2 years, leaving older kids in institutional care for longer periods.On the other hand, while the number of prospective adoptive parents is rising, the pool of legally free children available for adoption remains low, especially in the age group of 0-6.“Most prospective parents are unwilling to adopt children above the age of 2 years, which is unfortunate. Parents, especially childless couples, wish to adopt infants believing that younger children adjust more easily. But the belief is not entirely accurate. Older children too are capable of forming strong emotional bonds if provided with consistent care and affection,” said Pritikant Panda, programme manager, Odisha State Child Protection Society.State Adoption Resource Authority (SARA) data revealed that while 964 prospective adoptive parents are currently in the queue, only 253 children were declared legally free for adoption. Of these, merely 46 children fall in the 0–6 age group, the most preferred category. The remaining are above 6 years of age, with fewer takers.Sources said a key reason behind the preference for adopting infants is a lack of awareness and prevalent myths surrounding older children. “There’s a misconception that older children may face adjustment issues or might not accept adoptive parents. But studies and our own field experiences showed that with the right support, older children thrive in families,” said Sujata Mohanty, a senior officer at SARA. She added, “Adoptive parents must think beyond their emotional desires. The child’s need for a stable, loving home should be the primary consideration.”Officials said while the rising adoption numbers are encouraging, the skewed age preference poses a serious concern. “We have older children, some even in their early teens, who are legally free and waiting to be adopted. But they rarely get a second chance at family life. Parents are ready to wait for months for an infant but to adopt an older child they need not wait as they are ready for adoption,” Panda said.Apart from older children, very few parents are interested in adopting siblings, and children with special needs or health issues. In an effort to address the gap, child welfare agencies are planning targeted campaigns to promote the adoption of older children. “Adoption is not just about fulfilling the dream of becoming a parent; rather it’s about giving a child a home, a family and a future. Adoptive parents can make a quicker bond and play a significant role in shaping the education, behaviour, and adolescence of older kids,” the official added.The state witnessed a steady rise in in-country adoptions over the past three years. In 2022–23, 186 children were adopted, including 82 boys and 104 girls. This number rose to 252 in 2023–24 and touched 279 in 2024–25, with 149 girls and 130 boys adopted in the last fiscal.“Change in mindset has been visible for the last few years. Earlier people were very secretive about adopting a child and used to prefer a boy. But now young couples have no qualms over adoption. Rather many of them are demanding a girl child and are ready to wait for a few months,” said Mohanty, adding couples often feel that a girl child will be more caring and will emotionally connect better with the family.The women and child development department held a two-day ‘Adoption Conclave’ in Puri, which concluded on Saturday, that brought together policymakers, legal experts, district officials and development partners for the advancement of child protection reforms and strengthening adoption as a core pillar of society.
