When we talk about adoption, we often imagine a journey marked by deep wounds related to abandonment or the severance of the biological bond. Yet, many adoptees report a balanced, rich, and peaceful life, despite their particular history. How can we explain that some experience their adoption well, while others suffer more? This article explores the factors that promote a positive adoptive experience, drawing on scientific research and testimonies from adoptees.

1. A secure attachment upon arrival

The quality of the bond formed between the child and their adoptive parents plays a vital role. According to John Bowlby, founder of attachment theory, a secure attachment is built when the parent consistently and caringly responds to the child's needs.

Even if the child has experienced initial abandonment, establishing a stable, loving, and consistent environment often helps heal this wound. Studies by Mary Ainsworth (1978) show that children who develop a secure attachment become more resilient in the face of adversity.

Salla Saastamoinen says Hague Adoption Convention is acquis since today - Lisbon Treaty

Wait for adoption longest for special needs children: Data

New Delhi, Nearly two-thirds of children waiting for adoption in India are those with special needs, even as the overall adoption numbers have seen a record rise over the years, government data shows.

According to the Union Women and Child Development Ministry's latest annual report accessed by PTI, 3,684 children were declared legally free for adoption in 2024 and 2,177 were available for placement through the Central Adoption Resource Authority “. Of the 2,177 children, 1,423 or 65 per cent were those with special needs.

Despite sustained efforts and awareness campaigns to encourage adoption of children with special needs, official records accessed by PTI through an RTI query show that the numbers remain much lower.

Special needs adoptions peaked at 401 in 2018-19, plunged to 166 the following year, and the number has since remained between 300 and “370 annually.

The world’s most successful entrepreneurs often captivate us with their business acumen, vision, and relentless drive, but there’s one factor in the early lives of Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, and Larry Ellison that many people overlook: they were all adopted. Steve Jobs, the Apple co-founder, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, and Larry Ellison, the Oracle co-founder, each grew up in adoptive families that provided stability, guidance, and emotional support. While adoption is not the sole reason for their extraordinary achievements, it may have shaped their resilience, ambition, creativity, and determination to succeed against the odds. These inspiring stories offer a glimpse into the unknown early lives of billionaires and highlight how early life experiences can influence lifelong success.
 

Steve Jobs: Parents who adopted him nurtured his creativity

Steve Jobs was born to Abdulfattah Jandali, a Syrian student pursuing a PhD, and Joanne Schieble, an American Catholic of Swiss-German descent. Because Joanne’s parents opposed the relationship and pregnancy, she opted for a closed adoption. The couple originally selected to adopt Jobs backed out after learning the baby was a boy. He was eventually adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs, a working-class couple who promised to save for his college education. Jobs was fiercely loyal to his adoptive parents, viewing them as his true family. Throughout his life, he often referred to his biological parents as “my sperm and egg bank.” The nurturing environment provided by Paul and Clara helped cultivate his creativity, curiosity, and relentless pursuit of innovation, which later defined his career at Apple and Pixar.

Jeff Bezos: From Jeffrey Jorgensen to Amazon founder

PUNE: Maharashtra clinched the pole position in India with 849 inter-country and domestic adoptions in the last financial year - accounting for nearly 20% of the total count and a 38% surge from the state's previous fiscal's tally of 522.
 

Across India, 4,515 children found families - the highest number in over a decade - while over 36,000 prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) are on the waiting list at present, hoping to adopt one of just 2,749 children legally available, according to data from Central Adoption Resource Authority (Cara). Of these, 1,808 are categorised as special-needs children.

Of the 4,515 adoptions, 4,155 children found families within the country while 360 were international/inter-country adoptions. Maharashtra, where the domestic adoption count was 790, was followed by Tamil Nadu (438) and West Bengal (297). In international adoptions, Maharashtra led with a tally of 59, followed by Punjab (41) and Bengal (31).

The average waiting time for PAPs is three-and-a-half years. Most PAPs seek girls and those aged 0-2 years, leaving older children and those with special needs under-placed. As many as 2,554 children adopted in FY 2024-25 were girls, accounting for 56% of all adoptions in India.
 

"One reason is, more girls are given up than boys, making them available for adoption," said Vinita Bhargava, formerly with Cara as its founder member.

A senior women and child development (WCD) dept official said, "Some parents believe girls are more caring and affectionate, and are more likely to look after their parents in old age. Some feel girls adapt more easily to family life. Social awareness and single women often preferring to adopt girls are other reasons."

Many PAPs believe it is easier to build emotional connections with infants and younger children. The official said, "For some, adopting younger children provides greater scope to shape their values, personality and upbringing. Others want to experience the entire parenting journey - from infancy to adulthood."
 

Mihai-Constantin Petcu, 40 (L) and Marian Barbu, 33 (R) both claim they were sexually trafficked in Romania. | United States District Court Central District of California

Three men have filed federal lawsuits claiming they were sexually abused and trafficked by a former Harvest Christian Fellowship pastor, Paul Havsgaard, while living in the now-defunct church-run children’s homes in Romania. The filings also accuse the church's founder, Greg Laurie, and missions pastor Richard Schutte of negligence in failing to prevent the abuse and covering it up for 20 years. 

The lawsuits were filed Tuesday and Thursday in the United States District Court for the Central District of California by Marian Barbu, 33, Mihai-Constantin Petcu, 40, and Cristian Aeroaiei, 36.

A Harvest Christian Fellowship spokesperson told The Christian Post in response to the lawsuits that the allegations are "serious and disturbing," but denied that the church knowingly covered up the alleged sexual abuse. The spokesperson said that since being contacted by the representatives of the alleged victims, Harvest Riverside has reported the case to law enforcement and plans to cooperate with authorities in the investigation. Harvest also sees the lawsuits as a "form of financial extortion" and expects to "vigorously defend against these claims" in the courts of law.  

The lawsuits, filed by attorney Jan Cervenka of McAllister Olivarius, allege in stark detail how Havsgaard recruited the plaintiffs as children off the streets of Bucharest with McDonald’s meals and the promise of shelter in a Harvest Home where they would be fed, clothed and educated. Other survivors interviewed as part of the lawsuits claim Havsgaard even dangled the idea of them escaping Romania through adoption by American families.

Instead of receiving hope, these men allege Havsgaard left them with a lifetime of trauma. Other survivors report developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, drug addiction and being functionally illiterate.  

By 'Alakihihifo Vailala, PMN

The law change will immediately and temporarily suspend the recognition of international adoptions under section 17 of the Adoption Act 1955 (the Act) by New Zealand citizens and residents for citizenship and immigration purposes. Photo: 123RF

The New Zealand government is pausing the recognition of some international adoptions, primarily affecting Samoa, due to concerns over child abuse in cases involving adoptions from overseas.

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says efforts are underway with Samoan authorities to address the issues surrounding international adoptions. But she says that until adequate safeguards are established, adoptions will remain on hold.

Lumos Moldova, in partnership with UNICEF and the Government of Norway, proudly announces the inauguration of the first Early Intervention Centre integrated within a public medical institution in Chișinău – the Territorial Medical Association Centru (AMT Centru).

This milestone ensures free, specialised early intervention services for children aged 0–5 with developmental disorders or disabilities in Chișinău. The centre, established through the UNICEF project ‘Creating and Developing Early Intervention Services for Children with Developmental Disorders and Disabilities,’ represents a $100,000 investment from the Government of Norway. It offers critical early assessments and personalised support during a child’s formative years, significantly enhancing recovery and development outcomes. Parents also benefit from counselling and a supportive, family-friendly environment to address early signs of developmental challenges.

• Employee, intern for a public service. Father of two children. What else? Lawyer, field hockey player (I try), likes to walk (but not more than 30 km in a day) etc etc
• BRUSSELS

Course

School career

Gemeenteschool Vossem

•  -  Tervuren1977 - 1981

21.02.2008

STRASBOURG: Pour une approche européenne de l'adoption internationale, "en pensant d'abord aux intérêts des enfants"

DECRYPTAGE RELATIO par Sandrine KAUFFER

Le Parlement européen et le Conseil de l’Europe : pour une procédure d’adoption internationale, lorsqu’il n’existe pas de solution nationale.