Legal Aspects of Adoption: Rights of Biological vs. Adoptive Parents

Abstract

This paper explores the legal aspects of adoption, focusing on the rights and responsibilities of biological and adoptive parents. Adoption is a complex legal and social process that establishes a new parent-child relationship while severing ties with biological parents. The study examines the historical evolution of adoption laws, highlighting how cultural attitudes towards family and parentage have shaped legal frameworks. It categorizes adoption into various types, such as domestic, international, open, and closed adoptions, and discusses the implications of these classifications on parental rights. The paper outlines the rights of biological parents, including their ability to consent to adoption and the processes involved in the termination of parental rights. It contrasts these with the rights granted to adoptive parents upon finalization, emphasizing their legal responsibilities and the equivalence of their rights to those of biological parents. Additionally, the paper addresses the challenges and controversies surrounding adoption laws, particularly in relation to open versus closed adoptions and the impact on the child's best interests. Ultimately, the research advocates for a balanced legal framework that considers the rights of all parties involved while prioritizing the well-being of the child.

Keywords

1. Adoption
2. Biological parents
3. Adoptive parents
4. Parental rights
5. Legal framework
6. Closed adoption
7. Open adoption
8. Termination of parental rights
9. Child welfare
10. Family law