FOX16 Community

Let us know what you think.  Should couples over the age of 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

I think as long as they are economically stable,, and have a safe secure home enviroment,then yes they should be allowed to adopt, There are so many children out there in desperate need of a good , loving home,, why should we put even more limitations on who is allowed to adopt,,, we are only hurting the children's chances of finding a family,, when we do that,,,,

In my honest opinion I think they should be allowed to. It makes no sence that they can adopt a child of one year, but can not adopt a child younger than 1. It seems discriminatory. Some may disagree, but I have known quit a few people who were raised by their grand Parents and were taken care of very well.

I am 55, and my daughter was born when I was 42.  My son was born when I was 36.  I am a single mom by choice, do not draw welfare, support myself and 2 children.  DHS would not have let me adopt my now 13 year old daughter because of age, nor would they have let me adopt my now 20 year old son because I was a single woman.  Never mind that both are excellent in all areas, with honor student grades, full college scholarship for my son, and a daughter who has received recruitment verbal offers already because of her talents and athleticism.  I guess DHS thinks only teenage mothers are qualified to parent, and those teenage parents certainly justify DHS's existence.  Not everyone can be a teenage parent, but it takes a special person to want to adopt.  That is parenting BY CHOICE where these teen pregnancies are not, and we taxpayers end up supporting both mother and child.  When you have people ready, willing and able to adopt and support children, where is the logic in denying any person and justify your decision citing age, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other disqualification?  DHS is playing God, and their failure to place children in loving homes where they are wanted is evidence of that.

Well, of course they should be allowed to adopt an infant providing they pass the same qualifications as any other  couple would.  A stable home with loving parents of any age would be a plus for a child.  I would think that it would be detrimental to the child to be removed from the only home that they have known due to the fact that the 'parent' is 40 and not 39! 

I am 51 years old.  I was adopted when I was 23 months old.  At the time of my adoption my mother was 51 and my father was 46.  I don't think age has anything to do with the ability to raise and love a child.  I am very thankful for the parents I had.  So many people are deciding to have children later in life.  Is the state or government going to step in and take their children too.  If the love and ability is there, age shouldn't matter.

I HAVE A WONDERFUL COUSIN, SHE AND HER HUSBAND LEARNED AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE IN PREPERATION FOR HER BROTHER'S RARE DESEASE THAT CAUSED DEAFNESS BUT BY THE TIME HE WAS DEAF,DIDNT HAVE ENOUGH OF HIS MIND TO UNDERSTAND ANY LANGUAGE,SHE USED HER KNOWLEDGE TO TEACH ASL,SHE WAS APPROACHED BY 2 DIFFERANT PEOPLE ABOUT A 4 MO OLD DEAF BABY THAT NEEDED PARENTS THEY WENT THROUGH ALL THE RED TAPE,PARENTING CLASSES,FBI BACKGROUND CHECK ETC.PRAYING AND HOPING,THE DAY THEY WERE TO MEET HER 13MOS LATER,GOT A CALL,DHS SUP.SAID"TO OLD",THEY ARE BOTH 54,THEY WERE TOLD SHE WAS DEAF,ALMOST BLIND,RETARDED,AND WOULD NEVER WALK,SHE'S 18MOS,THEYVE HAD HER 4WKS,SHE HAS A HEARING AID,GLASSES,WALKS WITH HELP AND VERY BRIGHT FOR HER AGE. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY LITTLE COUSIN HAD THEY STUCK TO THE AGE LIMIT AND NOT LET THIS SWEET LITTLE GIRL GO TO HER PARENTS GOD MEANT TO RAISE HER? PS AND THE ONLY SIGN SHE KNEW WAS 'NO', NOW SHE KNOWS MAMA, DADDY, EAT, JUST TO NAME A FEW.

I believe people over forty if in good health should be able to adopt because I believe at that age you are more mature and stable to be able to care for a child.  Nothing against younger people but some are still somewhat irresponsible.  Who cares just as long as you can provide a warm home, love,etc. Anything is probably better than what they were getting before. Also through the very very long process and headaches you have to go through to get a child, basically down to very private issues.  NOone should say they are going to take a adopted child away because of your age. Who's right is it to say you are too old.  Learn from our grandparents when they say the older the better head on your shoulders.  I think who made these so called rules or laws had too much time on their hands to sit around and worry about what other people are doing instead of themselves.  Some people should keep their noses where they belong.

This just goes to show how far behind Arkansas is!!! I guess they should ban anyone over 40 from teaching, tutoring, coaching, or anything else if they are 40 y/o? All a child wants is someone to love them, support them, and guide them in this crazy world. DHS needs an overhaul, they are the ones too old. Should all of them be younger than 40 as well? Having worked in the E.D. @ ACH, I have seen sooooo many abused kids that DHS has let go back to the home it's rediculous!!! Our law makers need to step up to the plate and revamp the laws! But before they can do this, Arkansans must contact them and get on their backs to do this.

Absolutely. It is ridiculous that they can't. I have never heard of anything like this. I feel like if someone has enough love in their heart and the financial means to care for a new baby than they should have the opportunity.

If  people over 40 can give birth to babies, then why can't people over 40 adopt? Age should not be a factor!

I think it is absolutely absurd that in a time where too many children are out there having sex and raising children themselves, that we would put a limitation on adopting infants simply because someone is over 40. Most couples over 40 have established themselves financially and are more stable emotionally than a couple in their 20's or 30's. It is just rediculous, especially since we have so many children that are in desparate need of a parent to care for them and love them the way they need and deserve to be loved and cared for.  Shame on you DHS. You need to re-evaluate your prioties. Who makes these rules anyway? Do we as a people have a voice in the decisions that concern our children?

If we can give birth to children over the age of 40, we should be able to adopt infants if we're over that age.  My parents were 43 & 44 when they had me, and I could not have had a more wonderful life.  Do not forget that adoptions were designed to give children a home that they could not have naturally.  Any God fearing believer should not be ruled out due to age or gender. 

Yes, most definitely!!  If you have the health, financial capabilities, and love to give and time to share, then by all means, you should be able to adopt.  This is absolutely ridiculous!  How many mothers out there are giving birth at age 40 +?  There are a lot of them, and they do fine.  Also, you have individuals out there willing to give that child something they long for,  a mother and a father.  Who are we to deny such a precious gift?   By the way, how many unfit parents do you see these days under the age of 40?   I rest my case!

LB

I think as long as they have a satisfactory homestudy couples OR singles over 40 should be able to adopt.  The homestudy covers the following topics: financial, mental, and emotional stability.

As an adoptive mother, I brought home a 4 month old at the age of 40.  I feel I am a much better mother at 40 than I would have been at 30.  At 40, I am more financially stable, much more patient and it's much easier to put myself second and my child first.

There are so many children that are in dire need of a loving forever family and the sooner they are placed the better. 

Adoption is an amazing gift.  I HATE when black and white policies (age limits) get in the way.  My daughter is by far the best thing ever in my life.