What is the law about someone who has schizophrenia adopting a child?

Question

Some one at school is trying to find out the laws on this, they know someone who was diagnosed years ago but does not have any problems with the illness now. The person wanting to know is curious of the laws her friend attends a different college and would like to adopt in stead of having a child. This has made me curious about this also. Any answers appreciated if anybody knows.

Answer 1

This would depend very much on many issues....  First of all the process of the Home Study will outline issues that may be concerning about proseptive adoptive parents. Most humans have some kind of "negative" and what that person has done, and is doing about that "negative" would be a huge factor.

If potential adoptive parents have an issue they have demonstrated they understand, manage and have either corrected--or placed "supports" or "safety" measures around then... it may very well not be a reason to "fail" the home study.

For example from the bit I know about Schizophrina I would doubt a single mother would be a good choice--as one of the problems with this condition is failure to medicate. Therefore it would be an issue that another person was involved in order to care after the person with schizophrina.

It may also be taken into consideration that schizophrina has "genetic" links, a person deciding that it is best to Not risk giving birth to a child who may also have schizophrina is in a sense demonstrating love and care for a child well before that child is even known... That is actually a strong positive about the nature of this persons love and concern for a child. This is perhaps a very "selfless" act.

There are No Laws that state a person with schizophrenia may not have children....and we do not remove those children who are born to a person with this disorder -- in fact there are many fine parents who have this disorder... It is a risk for a child to be sure and it is true that many children have had terrible lives as the result of their parents mental health disorders.... but, we do not disallow these people the chance to give birth--to another person who potentially may also have the same disorder....

Where the biggest obsticles might be found would Not be the Laws...but, the decisions to place. In some adoptions the mother chooses the parents...in other adoptions social workers select the parents...

Answer 2

If she is truthful on her application, her chances of adopting are near zero if she is adopting domestically.  Don't know her chances adopting internationally.  

In this country, you are punished for seeking help in treating a mental illness. It doesn't matter if it is treatable or not.   Heck, she may not even have been correctly diagnosed in the first place.  There are ways around it for some couples, especially if they have not required treatment in years.

Answer 3

her best bet is to do a private adoption through an adoption lawyer. most adoption agencies will disqualify her because of her illness. (we had to even report whether we'd ever taken anti-depressants or seen a therapist and, if so, why and for how long and when!) a private adoption will be better for her because the birthparents won't necessarily ask health questions. however, she will still have to have a home study done and that will show up in her home study. so it all depends on the adoption lawyer she chooses, etc. I don't know of any specific state laws outlawing it, it's really up to the lawyer handling the case and the birthparents and who they pick as the parents, if they are given that option.

Answer 4

No they dont let them adopt, simply because it is considered a disablily, not a handicap. a baby would be safer with someone in a wheelchair than with someone who has a mental disability. There is no sure way to control it even if they take medication

Answer 5

They may want to adopt because they don't want to pass the illness to another child, but knowing folks that have it they have no business adopting.

Even if an adoption agency says they can a judge has to make that final ruling and if that is disclosed (as it should be) I suspect the judge will deny the petition.

Answer 6

I highly doubt there are any actual laws about this.  That would constitute outright discrimination.  However, during the application and homestudy process, the social worker will take all the information into consideration, and if this person is still capable of raising a child, and giving a child a safe, stable, consistent, loving, financially secure, permanent home, then s/he will probably be approved for adoption.

Answer 7

if they want to adopt through social services, and can prove that they can raise a child despite their illness, it shouldnt be a problem. they would need a letter from a counselor or something saying that in the counselors opinion, that person is fit to parent.

not to mention that if the person has needed meds and hospitalization in the past, it would be good for a child who also has mental problems. that parent would have knowledge of what they go through, based on experience.

it all comes down to whether or not they would be a good parent, no matter what the circumstances.

Answer 8

I doubt if the law would give someone with that illness a child b/c of what it is!

Answer 9

it really depends...some places are so strict even if you ever had a record of being on anti-depresent they can stop you.

Answer 10

The agency would always make sure that the parents is stable and able to care for a child. So it would be up to the agency worker and the agency. They would never leave a child in a place where it could access danger.