Every parent should have this book!

debbie — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:41:06 +0000

As new parents it is always nice to have at our disposal information about child care. The book, Development of the child checklist, has been written by an Occupational Therapist and is filled with, not just useful guidelines, but also includes age appropriate activities for you and your child to do together. View the link for more information about the book and for ordering details.

Twinkle Toes – an enriching circular

debbie — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:21:46 +0000

Twinkle Toes Twinkle Toes is a heartening circular centred around the work we do at Adoptions4Ever.

News from Huis Talitha

admin — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 08:41:22 +0000

This year has been full of ups and downs. We found that we’ve had more enquiries from women experiencing crisis pregnancy this year than last year with most women (12 out of 18 women) deciding to keep their babies. Adoptions4Ever facilitated 6 adoptions of which 3 babies passed away either in the womb or shortly after birth despite every effort to keep them alive. Adoptions4Ever placed an advertisement in Die Republikein, a Namibian newspaper which has seen a big response. In fact one Nambian mother is on her way to Huis Talitha as we speak. Hold thumbs that all goes well.

- Debbie Turner

The rights and role of the biological father

admin — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 06:26:32 +0000

So often the biological father as a person is forgotten as part of the adoption process—let alone his role and rights in this regard. Specifically in an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy, the focus is usually on the biological mother. Because she is the one carrying the baby, it doesn’t imply that the biological father shouldn’t be considered. Research done on the biological father highlighted the fact that they do experience the same emotions as the mother with regard to being a parent and should therefore also be an integral part of the decision-making process with regards to the future of the baby. In the abovementioned research, interviews with several unmarried fathers revealed that in many instances they were never informed about the pregnancy or the birth of the baby—yet it was claimed that they weren’t prepared to accept responsibility (a common stereotype still prevalent today). In 1997 the Natural Fathers of Children Born Out Of Wedlock Act changed the legal status of the bio-logical father in that his consent is now legally required in order for an adoption to be considered and finalised. Since obtaining legal rights, the biological father may himself apply to adopt the child concerned, should his circumstances permit it.We need to be careful not to accept a stereotype as the truth or have set ideas about a situation without considering all the facts. It is not necessarily every biological father who is prepared, or in a position, to willingly accept responsibility and therefore each situation should be assessed individually. With the new Children’s Act (38/2005) coming into effect in April 2010, two important aspects need to be taken into consideration: Firstly, the child’s best interest is of paramount concern. This implies that, at all times, the focus will be focused on what is best for the child. When a court order is issued, it needs to be in the best interest for the child presently but also in 20 years time. The “best interest” principle is determined according to set standards as stipulated in Section 7 of the Children’s Act and therefore offering more protection. Previously, adults claimed the right to decide what they thought will be best for a child with many sad consequences. An important change in the Children’s Act is that parents cannot auto-matically claim that they have rights. Chapter 3 of the Children’s Act is called Parental responsibilities and rights. This chapter implies that a parent has to fulfil certain responsibilities first in order to be able to claim parental rights! Section 19 stipulates the parental responsibility and rights of mothers while sections 20 & 21 differentiate between the responsibilities and rights of married and unmarried fathers respectively. For a biological father to be able to claim parental responsibility and rights, he either:

Has to be married to the child’s mother;
Consents to be identified as the child’s father;
Contributes or has attempted in good faith to contribute to the child’s upbringing for a reason-able period;
Contributes or has attempted in good faith to contribute towards expenses in connection with maintenance of the child for a reasonable period.

In the adoption scenario, a child may only be adopted if consent for the adoption has been given by each parent of the child—regardless of whether the parents are married or not. Consent of a parent is not necessary if that parent:

Is competent to give consent due to metal illness
Has abandoned the child
His/her whereabouts cannot be established or his identity is unknown
Has abused or deliberately neglected the child or allowed the child to be abused or neglected
Has consistently failed to fulfil his responsibilities towards the child during the last 12 months
Has failed to respond to notice of the proposed adoption within 30 days of the notice
It is determined in terms of Section 141 that consent is being unreasonably withheld. To determine that, the nature of the relationship between the parent and the child during the last two years as well as the prospect of a sound relationship developing in the immediate future, will be taken in to consideration.

In the situation where a biological father was informed about the birth of the baby but is not contactable, a sworn affidavit by the biological mother stating that the father was informed is important. Advertisements have to be placed for him to contact the responsible social worker. These advertisements have to be handed in at court as proof of attempts to locate the biological father. Should the identity of a father or his address and circumstances be unknown, again a sworn affidavit by the biological mother to that effect, is important. Adoption is a permanent placement with permanent effects and should be done thoroughly and responsibly.

Information kindly provided by Dr Marie KrugerSocial worker in private practice