INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION Meaning and
Definition
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International adoption refers to the legal process in which individuals or couples residing in one country become the legal and permanent parents of a child from another country. This type of adoption involves the transfer of parental rights and responsibilities from the child's birth parents or guardians to the adoptive parents, who may be residing in a different country. International adoption is also commonly referred to as intercountry adoption.
The main purpose of international adoption is to provide a loving and stable home environment for children who are deemed eligible for adoption but do not have suitable local adoptive families available to them in their home country. This may be due to various reasons, such as abandonment, poverty, conflict, or established policies surrounding domestic adoption.
To engage in international adoption, prospective adoptive parents typically have to meet certain legal requirements, both in their home country and the country from which they wish to adopt. This may include age restrictions, a background check, financial stability, and proof of a safe and nurturing home environment. Additionally, the adoption process typically involves the assistance and guidance of adoption agencies that specialize in international adoption and facilitate the necessary paperwork and documentation.
International adoption offers the opportunity for children to experience a different cultural background and grow up in a supportive and loving family environment. It also allows for individuals or couples who are unable to conceive or choose not to have biological children to fulfill their desire to become parents and provide a forever home for a child in need.
Etymology of INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION
The term "international adoption" is a compound term that consists of two primary components: "international" and "adoption".
1. International:
The word "international" originates from the Latin word "internationālis", which is a combination of two Latin words: "inter" meaning "between" and "natio" meaning "nation". It implies something that involves or extends between nations or countries. The term was first recorded in English during the 18th century.
2. Adoption:
The word "adoption" has its roots in the Latin word "adoptio", which stems from the verb "adōptāre". "Ad-" means "to" or "toward", while "optāre" signifies "to choose, select, or desire". Therefore, the term implies the act of taking another person's child legally and raising them as one's own.
