Experts advise: The focus in adoption discussions should be on foster children, not on age limits
Experts urge shifting the focus of adoption discussions from age limits to the needs of foster children. They caution that easing age restrictions will not boost adoptions; the core issue is cited as applicants, not the sheer number of children needing care. This urgency is highlighted by the large number of youth in foster and institutional care, coupled with a projected annual shortage of foster families.
Professional associations urgently advise redirecting the discussions surrounding adoption procedures. Instead of concentrating on the debate about age limits, the focus should rather be on the needs of foster children. Experts point out that relaxing age limits alone will not increase the number of adoptions; the core problem should rather be sought in the applicants and not in the mere number of children. Rather, there is an urgent need for action due to the considerable number of young people currently living in foster families. In 2024, over 87,500 young people were housed in foster families, plus another 134,000 young people who lived in institutions. The federal associations for foster and adoptive families also estimate an annual shortage of at least 4,000 foster families.