Profile of the Child
The profile of children adopted abroad has evolved. In particular, there has been an increase in the average age of children proposed for adoption in certain countries, and in the number of children with special needs.
The majority of children waiting for parents:
- are over four years of age;
- are from a family of two or more children;
- have a physical or psychological health problem.
Children's origins
Children proposed for adoption are orphaned or abandoned. They are from various environments: orphanages or foster families. Some have been in difficult situations. They may be:
- abandoned children whose family is unknown;
- orphans whose family council has consented to adoption;
- children whose biological parents have been deprived of their parental authority;
- children whose biological parents have consented to adoption.
Health condition of the children
Certain children may have a physical or psychological health problem.
It is important for prospective adopters to be well informed in order to understand the potential needs of the child and be able to offer all of the parental and medical care required. It is especially important to be informed when a child has a particular profile, whether it is an older child or one with specific needs. Adoption preparation workshops cover this subject.
For more information on the health condition of children, see the Health of the Child page.
Period for grieving
An adopted child is deeply affected by the loss of persons who were important to him or her. Consequently, the child is inevitably going through the grieving process when he or she comes to Québec, having lost all points of reference and ties to his or her biological parents or other significant persons.
The child must therefore face various challenges:
- physical;
- environmental;
- emotional.
The child must create new bonds and new relationships in the host country. That process takes time.