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Re: Should Couples over 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

Denarky — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 03:14:09 GMT

My baby daughter is 8 years old.....which means my wife was 41 and I was 51 when she was born. The rest of my kids are grown with families of their own. Iris is a home schooler, and is way beyond her age bracket in intellegence and problem solving. She reads and writes at 8th grade level, and never ceases to amaze me with things she has learned! You can have your opinion however you want it and even your vested interests, but you cannot throw a blanket over all 40 year olds like they are senile....to the contrary...the ones I know are just coming into a level of maturity I rarely see these days in 20 year olds! TJMHO! ~Denarky

Re: Should Couples over 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

ruserious — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 01:02:55 GMT

ARE YOU SERIOUS? Let me understand this, unadopted children in the system can be kept, just dont let them get comfortable because they are subject to be taken away from you at any time, never mind the stability of the child. Also a child is not allowed to call their care givers mom or dad, never mind it might give them a since of belonging. Then, to adopt a child there are the cant's. You can't adopt if you're too young, too old, single, dont fit a certain financial criteria, and the list goes on... Their are too many stipulations for this crisis situation. Whose interest are we really rooting for? It definately isn't the childrens. This is all about control. We are wasting time, leaving these children alone in the care of a system who in itself doesn't have the proper means to provide for them. If the state was truly concerned for the children then they would allow adoption by candidates who can love, nourish, provide, guide, and share in a child's best interest. What about the state worker over 40 who is raising , oops, i mean working with these children until they are adopted, if ever. They don't even have to apply the love, just their 8hr shift. Now thats a double standard. Way to go DHS, for keeping the children in your care longer than necessary, making them feel more unwanted and for showing them your definition of parenthood.

Re: Should Couples over 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

TCurry — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:26:59 GMT

I feel that as long as they pass all the requirements that every other capable couple have to pass that there should be no problems. Do they realize how many 50 something grandparents are out there raising their grandchildren and greatgrandchildren? As long as they are mentally, physically, and finacially capable, then what is the problem. We have 20 and 30 year old parents out here who should have never been able to reproduce.

Re: Should Couples over 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

rtmissal — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:27:15 GMT

Absolutely! They let kids in high school keep their babies. Even those who have virtualy no means of support. And they let same sex couples adopt. Which, by the way, leaves the child without either a mother or a father. 1984 is alive and well in this country if you haven't noticed, and has been for a long time. And when we start dictating at what age we can and can't have babies, we move that much closer to becoming a communistic dictatorship.

Re: Should Couples over 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

plhearon — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:06:35 GMT

A resounding YES! Again the rules really make a lot of sense. You are good enough to be a foster parent to a new born and be over 40, but not good enough to adopt.

You know just hang in there. Unless they are fast tracking termination of parental rights the baby will be over a year old and then it wouldn't be a new born.

Re: Should Couples over 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

AJB161 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:46:28 GMT

Absolutely!! Why not? You're telling me that parents are not capable of taking care of a child if they are over 40. But, you can if you are 14, or maybe do drugs, or have a history of abuse, etc. Considering the types of parents we see on the news, age should not be a factor. Especially when there are so many children waiting for families . . .really we can discriminate against a person who wants to take care of a child? Ridiculous!!!

Re: Should Couples over 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

Paula88 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:35:35 GMT

Of course they should be able to adopt! If they are able to provide everything for the child, let them have her. Who would even come up with such a rule? Couples over 40 can have children of their own, why can't they give other kids that need homes the same chance? She said that it was for the child's best interest? I think that is total bull. Why would anyone in their right mind keep a child in foster care when a couple is wanting that child so much? Would the rules change if someone in DHS was over 40 and wanted to adopt? Of course it would!

Re: Should Couples over 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

namvet2020 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:34:17 GMT

Yes,I feel agew does not matter when it comes to raising an infant.I think DHS is out of their mind in doing this to this couple.I am 63 and i feel i could raise an infant myself,and my wife also agrees.All I think DHS is trying to set an example with this couple.it is utterly ridiculous what DHS is doing.Wake up DHS<I guess they will try and keep people over 40 from having a natural birth next.

Re: Should Couples over 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

guatemama — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:29:32 GMT

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.

Re: Should Couples over 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

allaboutit — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:25:15 GMT

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!

Re: Should Couples over 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

jlo4sho — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:19:33 GMT

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.

Re: Should Couples over 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

coolcollegemom — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:19:13 GMT

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?

Re: Should Couples over 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

janeecme — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:14:17 GMT

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

Re: Should Couples over 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

Jenny — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:13:47 GMT

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.

Re: Should Couples over 40 be allowed to adopt infants?

gertrude — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:38:00 GMT

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.