Dear Editor,
The Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ann Greene, is correct in asserting that it is not fair on children to be left in an institution indefinitely by their parents `Distraught mom seeks to be reunited with sons adopted, taken to US’ (Sunday Stabroek September 16). The rights of the child need to take precedence over the rights of the parents. There is substantial empirical evidence detailing the negative impacts of institutionalisation on children. This is why many countries around the world have reformed their child protection policies to include a time frame for institutionalised care. Thus parents who do not make any efforts to change their living situation or improve their ability to care for their children, within a specified amount of time, forfeit their right to custody.
This is often within 1-2 years. After such time the state can decree adoption is in the best interests of the child’s long term wellbeing. This time limit impresses upon families and society that institutions are not a long term solution for child welfare. Kavita Singh’s two boys were in care for nine years before they were adopted. They should not have had to wait so long and she should not have expected them to.
Yours faithfully,
Charlotte Shaw
