How Adoption Works

If you and your partner are struggling to conceive a baby, there is another option for you to have the family you've always wanted.

- Phakamani Mvelashe

FOR most South Africans, especially in the black community, adoption in the legal sense is something unusual. Even though one would take in children under their care, they seldom adopt them legally. But as times change so do people’s awareness and perceptions about adoption.

MAKING THE DECISION TO ADOPT 

In her blog, Becoming A Mom, Robyn Wolfson Vorster, shares her life experience with infertility and adoption. 

She writes that when you decide to adopt and you’re in a relationship, it’s important that both parties are on board as it’s a life-changing event. 

“Try not to set-up your first meeting until you are both certain that you want to adopt. If you go ahead prematurely, don’t be surprised if the social worker asks you to rethink your decision,” she advises. 

There are two ways in which you can legally adopt in South Africa. You can either do it through an accredited adoption agency or with the assistance of an adoption social worker functioning within the statutory accredited adoption system.