Reason for Prohibiting Adoption of Adult Children by Older Couples

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Social and Family Development what is the reason for prohibiting the adoption of adult children by an older couple, especially in the case of stepchildren from an earlier marriage.

Adoption is a legal process where trusted adults become the legal parents of a child, to make crucial decisions in the best interests of the child and the child's welfare. The trusted adults have to be committed to fulfilling all duties, obligations and responsibilities of a parent. This includes making decisions for the child's day-to-day care, education and maintenance.

This legal arrangement is necessary because we recognise that the child often lacks the maturity or life experience necessary to make significant decisions or care for themselves independently. As the child matures into adulthood, they naturally gain the capacity to make decisions for themselves. At this stage, the need to have a trusted adult to make decisions on their behalf loses its relevance. Consequently, the legal process of adoption no longer applies after the child achieves adulthood.

Accordingly, the Adoption of Children Act makes clear that the Court may only make adoption orders in respect of an individual below the age of 21 years.