Providing love and security to a child without parents is extremely fulfilling not only for the child, but for the adult as well. If adoption is something that you are considering, you need to fully understand all of the legal and emotional implications. Adopting a child can be a lengthy and complicated process, but the benefits for both of you will be priceless.

Adoption is the legal process in which a child is welcomed as a new member of the family. When the adoption process is complete, the adoptive parents are entitled to the same rights and assume the same responsibilities of biological parents. The new parents are granted legal custody of the child and become fully responsible for the adoptive child's social, physical and emotional well-being.

Countries around the world recognize adoption as a legal practice, and many nations embrace it as a means of providing permanent care and security for abandoned or orphaned children. It is a universal aim that has changed the face of adoption over the past few decades. In the past, babies were primarily considered for adoption. Now, the concept of child adoption has flourished to include children of all ages. Children of all ages are now readily and eagerly adopted by loving parents.

The most obvious reason, perhaps, is that as human beings, children have the rights to safety, health, security, and happiness. They have the right to plant roots, and to feel loved as important family members. We all need to feel that there is a family waiting for us, wanting to share their lives and care for us. Children, especially, feel this need and have this very basic right.

Loving and being loved is the basis of every child's self worth. If these feelings are missing, children are unable to determine their place in society and their relevance to others. They cannot easily integrate into their communities. The lack of parental attention and appreciation may ultimately lead to social and behavioral problems.

Many of the single adults and couples wishing to raise families are unable to conceive children. These caring parents view adoption as a way to fill the void and realize the completion of their families. They know that raising children will bring enrichment to their lives, and they realize that they can offer a great deal to a child in need.

Adoptive parents may also be couples with biological children, who simply wish to enrich their families by adopting a child. In fact, some thirty percent of adoptive parents have biological children of their own. Another important rising trend in child adoption is to loving and caring single parents.

Children can be left without parents for a number of reasons. In many countries, war, disease and famine create tragic situations that leave countless orphaned children. Others are placed for adoption by their parents, who realize that they are simply unable to provide the degree of care that the child needs and deserves. Some see this as a selfish and cowardly act, but may parents who place their children for adoption are torn by the decision. Despite the reason for being alone, children need to enjoy the love of kind, caring parents.

Young parents will often choose to place their children for adoption, knowing that they're just not able to provide the necessary support. Financial difficulties often play a role in these decisions. Single parents sometimes believe that they can't support the child, provide an education, or help to mold the child into a responsible, capable individual.

Rates of legal adoption have reached an all-time high throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, and North America. Still, there are many more children waiting and hoping for adoptive parents who are willing to open their hearts to provide the care and security they desperately need.