In a groundbreaking move that's reshaping adoption narratives across West Bengal, child welfare authorities are championing a powerful cause: finding forever families for older children and teenagers who often wait years for a place to call home.
The Unspoken Reality of Older Children in Care
While thousands of prospective parents queue up to adopt infants, numerous older children in childcare institutions watch their childhoods slip away waiting for families. These children, some as young as six and others navigating their teenage years, represent the most overlooked segment of India's adoption ecosystem.
West Bengal's Proactive Approach
West Bengal's adoption agencies aren't just waiting for change—they're creating it. Through targeted awareness campaigns and counseling sessions, they're helping potential parents see the unique rewards of welcoming an older child into their lives.
The advantages are profound:
- Older children often have established personalities and interests
- They can actively participate in the family integration process
- Many have developed resilience and coping skills
- The parent-child relationship becomes more about mutual understanding than dependency
Breaking Through Psychological Barriers
The resistance to older child adoption often stems from deep-seated concerns about attachment issues, behavioral challenges, or the fear of missing early developmental milestones. Child welfare professionals across Bengal are addressing these concerns head-on with evidence-based counseling and success stories.
The CARA Framework: Streamlining the Process
Under the Central Adoption Resource Authority's structured system, the path to adopting older children has become more transparent and accessible. The mandatory counseling sessions now specifically address the unique aspects of older child adoption, preparing families for the journey ahead.
This paradigm shift in West Bengal's adoption landscape represents more than policy change—it's a cultural transformation that recognizes every child's right to a family, regardless of age. As more families open their hearts and homes to older children, they're not just changing individual lives; they're redefining what family means in contemporary India.
