Although they have come under considerable media scrutiny, celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Madonna have done much to change previously held ideas about the acceptability and feasibility of adoption.

For most, adoption is only an option if you can't have a child of your own — the alternative for those who are infertile, singles who would like to have children on their own and same-sex couples.

In a country such as South Africa however, where the HIV/Aids pandemic is at its worst and where child-headed households are becoming common, it would be ideal if everyone at least considered adoption as viable alternative or complement to the more traditional practice of biological offspring.

An easy option?

That being said, adoption is not an easy option. While there are no preconditions dictating who may and may not reproduce — regardless of substance abuse, a history of violence or neglect, psychological disorders and criminality — there is (and rightly so) a strict screening process when it comes to adoption.

There are also waiting lists to contend with, fees and arduous court proceedings. Not to mention the fact that adoption, especially cross-cultural adoption, brings with it its own set of complications, like explaining adoption to the child and dealing with his or her feelings of abandonment and any insecurities which may arise.

Adoption in SA

In South Africa there are two avenues to adoption, either through approved NGOs such as Child Welfare, or through social workers in private practice. Adoption and administration fees vary from one organisation to the next, and in some cases, you might be required to pay the hospital fees of the biological mother.

Child Welfare in Cape Town uses a sliding scale, which is dependent on your income, to determine fees. At the low-end of the scale (income equivalent to that of a domestic worker) the fees are R102 while at the high-end of the scale (more than R30 000 per month) the fees are R12 600.

How long you spend on the waiting list depends largely on your specifications. In South Africa the majority of children that need to be adopted are black, therefore you will wait longer if you request a child of another race. Similarly, if you would like your child to come from a particular religious background, the process will take longer.

It is not only your requirements which are taken into account however, the birth mother is also consulted and she may have specific requirements (race, religion and ethnicity) about where her child is placed.

It is easier for the child if he or she is placed in a culturally similar family, however, when this is not possible cross-cultural placements do occur. In such instances, Child Welfare offers support groups and counselling.

In South Africa, adoption is open to a wide range of people — married couples, life-partners (including same-sex couples) and single adults. The adoption can either be open or closed. In an open adoption the identities of the various parties are known to each other. In a closed adoption, the identities remain unknown.

Any child under the age of 18 may be adopted on the condition that they were abandoned or orphaned, or if their parents are still alive, that both parents have consented to the adoption.

The screening process

The adoption process may vary slightly from one organisation to the next, but certain elements, such as the screening process, will be the same.

At Child Welfare in Cape Town, this process begins with an orientation meeting which introduces you to the complexities of what adoption entails. This is followed by joint (if a couple) and individual interviews.

If the interviews are satisfactory, you need to fill out application forms. These forms include medical certificates (general health and a doctor's certificate that you don't have a history of psychological problems) as well as two character references and clearance that you don't have a criminal record for a violent crime. The judge will also want to know that you can support and educate the child, so these financial details will also be taken into account.

This is followed by a small group session, which will explore all the aspects of adoption, including how to talk to the child about his or her adoption and how to come to terms with possible infertility.

Before your case is put before a judge, the organisation will also conduct a home visit to ensure that your home is safe and that any pets are well treated. You will undergo another interview in the home environment and the social worker will check that you have understood everything about the adoption.

Although the social worker or organisation will recommend whether or not they think the child should be placed with you, the decision ultimately lies with the Commissioner of Child Welfare who presides over your case.

Contrary to popular belief, adoption does not simply entail picking out a baby and signing on the dotted line. It is a long and taxing process. But, like pregnancy and birth, it's also an exciting journey which results in the incomparable experience of raising a child.

Useful sites

Cape Town Child Welfare: www.helpkids.org.za
Johannesburg Child Welfare: www.jhbchildwelfare.org.za