Finland Confirms First Same-Sex Adoptions
Three years after the marriage act allowed marriage equality and same-sex adoptions, the Rainbow Families Association ‘Sateenkaariperheet’ has confirmed that Finland’s first two same-sex adoptions have taken place. A female couple and a male couple have both adopted infants, according to ‘News Now Finland’.
“In domestic adoptions, the decision on which family the child will be placed in is made in the adoption working group” explains social worker Aulikki Haimi-Kaikkonen.
“For each child, carefully consideration is given to which family best meets the child’s needs. The decision also takes into account, where possible, the wishes of the biological parents as to the type of family in which the child will be placed. This may have an impact on applicants’ waiting times” she adds.
Rainbow Families Association Executive Director Juha Jämsä stated that because of the time it takes for applicants’ readiness to be parents, she was not surprised that the first same-sex adoptions didn’t happen until now. “Adoption is especially important from the perspective of male couples’ opportunities, a new way to parenthood.
“Adoption is unlikely to be the most common way for male couples to have children. However, it is an important additional opportunity for men, whose opportunities to form a family with children as a whole have been very limited.”
The city of Helsinki has confirmed that there are many same-sex couples in adoption counseling, looking for both national as well as international adoptions.
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