International children policy
Adina –Elena Enea, The University from Buchrest
The Swedish welfare System is recognized for providing social structure and the generosity.
The high quality of living owens to the tax financed public services and environmental planning.
From theoretical point of view, it was described by many authors like : Esping –Andersen 1990;
Titmus 1974; Eriksson and Aberg 1986; Spicker 1988. The Scandinavian welfare system is
cataloguised as universal one with principle of one land, one people ,one nation.
After the Second World Were, during 1960 ies -1990 ies Sweden had suffered a big
demographic change because of the immigrations. According to the media reports today 40% of
children under 18 years have somekind of immigrant background.1 In our days, Sweden is
confrontded with some problems like immigration, ageing of people , young people unemployed
etc . but in no way is confronted with abandonaded/orphans children and adoption. The children
welfare system is very complex but are some problems like in any countries but there are not
similarities so far between Sweden and Romania in that point of view. The factors are very
different if Sweden hasn’t abandonated children and the Swedish people adopted children from
another countries another hand Romania has a lot of orphans and intercountry adoption is quite
difficult, almost impossible. The welfare policy are similar with Sweden in same points of view
but is a noticeable gab between law and applications.
The purpose of families policy in Sweden is to establish good condition for growth and
education, for assure social security on family and to promote the principle of the legal right of
men and women for participations of work life while good child care is provided.Enauring of the
protection of the child is permanently monitorising by State institution like Social Servicing Act
and the care of Young Persons Act (LVU). If the parents did not do the’’ job ‘’properly State
intervenes by law. The social worker has big responsabilities but the moral one is more that
counts In accordance of legislations to children should be gratified the basic needs and The
Children and Parents Code establishes the right of the children for a good care, social security
and education. A particular role has the municipalities , is the municipalities responsibility to
assure and control the child welfare. There are differences between politicies of each
municipalities, it should adopt this responsibility in that way to full fit of children from each city.
In the Swedish legislation there are differences between Child Protection and Young Justice and
if it is established that there is a risk for disturbing the protection and child need support they
take the child outside of his family. Conditions for taking over the child by the State without
family consensul are : abuse, neglect, disturbing relations between parents and child, children
1
‘’ Child Welfare in Sweden-a overview ‘’ ( Sven Hessle & Bo Vinerjung )
www.sws.soton.ac.uk/cwab/Guide/KRsweden.rtf
and youth abuse of alcohol and drugs, criminality and distructiving behavior. This essues are
established by the LVU.
A criticism of the Swedish system is the reality of state intervention in family affairs. In Sweden
the state intervin less than in US and UK and less fewer children enter to the adoption process
without family consens. Even the low promote the individualism and the own good of the
children, the practice of law are more focused by resolving the family problems, and rarely the
chlidren are taken from their families. In often cases, if the children are under the foster care
placements , that happens just because the family are agree with that. Despite these things by the
Swedish State has a reputation for having the main priority of family support, in particular child
in order to respect the autonomy and integrity of the family. Therefore be given a great civic
responsibility and State trust comes by itself.
Swedish Adoptions against Romanian adoption
In the first place, the social and historical context is different. ‘’The period of rapid
industralisation and urbanisation at the end of the 19th century , effected the established pattern of
family life in Sweden as it had done in England and led to similar social problems , including the
presences of abandoned or vagrant children roaming the new urban centres of population .The
associated perceived issues of criminal behavior promted the introduction of Sweden’s first child
welfare legislation in 1902. Unlike England , but in kepping with Sweden ‘s approach to family
matters , responsibility for administering the provisions was given to special child welfare
committees in the local communities for preventative measures , rather than ascribed to the
justice system for policing and punishement purposes. Children found to be , for whatever reason
, without adequate parental care were then placed by the authorities in approved foster care
homes or, though a much lessor extent , accommodated in residential units’’2. Now, Sweden is
one of the few countries where abandoned children are no problem. Unmarried mothers are
socially acceptable and can live very well. Even more is a used practical to adopt children from
different countries.
Romanian Context is different from the swidish one. In the past and in the present too , there
are still many abandoned children in maternity, many families with numerous children with low
2
‘’The politics of Adoptation. Interventional Perspectives and Low , Policy and Practice’’ by Kerry O’
Halloron,Springer Science and Business Media B.V. 2009, chapter 10, page 322
income and thay can’t support them , Gypsy culture where abortion is prohibited but not the
abandonment of the child. If the majority of children in Sweden are taken by the State and put it
one the placaments because of the inadequate care in family cadre , in Romania children are
abandoned since birth. During communism, abortion was banned, and as a consequence many
young unmarried teen agers and women abandonaded their children. Unfortunately this still
persist although it was legalized abortion. Because of that, The State don’t try to fous to much
for solve the family ‘s problem, because there are a lot of orphans and the state can’t support
them. Are children who have families. This situation of children in Romania apart from that of
children in other countries. But many of these children are abandoned by their families because
of the low income. The state should give more money to these families, but unfortunately,
especially in rural areas, when they receive children's allowances, debts are paid and the pub-
alcohol being a major problem.
For a good comparations, for exemple ‘’in 2001 , 20.000 of children and youth , have been
cherished outside of their family. Most of them, 72% were looked after in faster cares homes and
the rest in instiution of various kind. According to a recent gouverment report ‘’3. On the other
hand, today in Romania 70,000 of children are in centers for placement and children under 4
years are getting a daily feed of 1,5 euro and those up to 18 years of age receive euro and 30
cents.
In Sweden if biological parents or another member of family can’t care permanently the
children, the intervention of the third person is a very far alternative. In this case is preferable
the faster care . Is the same situation is in Romanian too. In Sweden it’s quite rarely that a
children with special needs to be involve in adoption process because these children need
special attention and medical and psychological attention and especially family should show a lot
of devotement and time. There are many specialized institutions dealing with the care of these
children : Support and Services four Persons with certain Funcional Imparements Act 1993, for
example on’’ 1 September 2001, almost 14,800 children and young people aged 0-22 years were
receiving one or more measures under the Support and Services Act. These children with
3
‘’The politics of Adoptation. Interventional Perspectives and Low , Policy and Practice’’ by Kerry O’
Halloron,Springer Science and Business Media B.V. 2009, chapter 10, page 320
disabilities constitue a separated and discret group.’’4 Is it fair that children to have the right of a
family and normal life but in the same time Swedish policy recognize the necessity of special
care of these children and is important that the family and the specialized institutes make a good
team for a good developing of the child. Romanian policy is quite hard too, but the people are
encouraged to do that, because there are many children with Down syndrome and with autism in
placaments but the attendancy is not so good. More than that, Romanian family are looking to
adopt the ‘’perfect child’’, without problems and healty and esspecialy not to be gipsy.
An important aspect of child adoption in Sweden is the Intercountry adoption. In Sweden is
a ordinary practice the intercountry adoption and the family is forced by law to informate the
children conserning their appurtenance , origins and origins of family. From geography point of
view is difficult for some children to maintain the relation with their biological families because
lot of them are from far countries and from another continent . According a study called
‘’Grotwth development of Indian children adopted in Sweden’’ more than 6800 children from
India are adopted by Swedish ,in the last four decade. Many of them were undernourished and
suffered of infections deseases. ‘’ Since the mid- 1970’s , between 900 and 1,800 children have
come to Sweden every year for adoption . Today are estimated 45,000 Swedes from different
parts of the world who have been adopted in Sweden. Statistics show that one out of every
hundred new children in Sweden today is adopted from abroad. Aproximately 90% of all
children who have been the subjects of intercountry adoption, arranged through an authorised
agency , have come from Columbia, India, China, Poland, Rusia, South Africa, South Korea,
Thailand, Vietnam, and Belarus. This trend is likely to accelerate following the introduction of
the Intercountry Adoption Affairs Act 2005 ‘’.5
Even of this oppenisess , is a qualitative research- ‘’To be non white in a colour blind society
conversation with adoptees and adoptive parent in Sweden on every day racism’’ , realized by
the interview with the parents who adopted children from different countries and they confronted
4
‘’The politics of Adoptation. Interventional Perspectives and Low , Policy and Practice’’ by Kerry O’
Halloron,Springer Science and Business Media B.V. 2009, chapter 10, page 321
5
‘’The politics of Adoptation. Interventional Perspectives and Low , Policy and Practice’’ by Kerry O’
Halloron,Springer Science and Business Media B.V. 2009, chapter 10, page 323
with a aggressive racism. It seems that some Swedish people are quite reserved in that point of
view, their curiosity concerning the provenance of that ‘’non white ’’ children. In this point of
view we can say that it seems with Romanian racism, but aren’t terms of comparison. T he gipsy
problem in Romania is very oppressive , and even there are mant gipsy orphans, no one want to
adopt them.
Intercountry adoption policyes are a little different in Sweden .The government office
responsible for adoptions in Sweden is the Swedish National Board for Intercountry Adoption
Mia. There are five voluntaries authorized for mentain a high quality intercountry adoption in
Sweden.
The process of adoption is one structured. First it must be approved by the Social Welfare Board
in the municipality they live. They determine if the parents are able to offer all the living
conditions of the child, that means Social Secretary research if that family answer the conditions
and if is it congruent with child needs. After that is negotiating with state institutions where the
child comes. Home studies are translated and parents have to visit a compulsory parental
education for optainig informations abouth the special needs that child have.
According to the MIA Swidish Intercountry Adoptions Authority -2005 is a article:
‘’Families who want to adopt a child must secure the consent of the local social welfare comitee
according to the Social Services Act, Chap 6.
The local social welfare comittee carries aout of a careful investigation of conditions in the
prospective adoptive family before such consent can be granted. The result of the investigation is
presented in a home study which should include the following concerning the prospective
parents:
-Previous conditions : their childhood and adolescence , educations, occupations, and
relationship with parents and brothers and sisters.
-Present living conditions:home environment , school situation, work, income and wealth
-Previous and present state of health
-Personality: distinctive characteristics and interes , membership of clubs and associations
,leisure persuits and friends and aquaintences
-Religions affiliations and /or atitudines
-Marriage and marital relantionship :the view they take of their own and any previous
relationship.Attitude of the people around them to their plans for adoption. Intention of otherwise
to have more children.Any of the children of the family
-Motives for adoptions
-Knowledge of experiences of children, ideal of upbringing.Expectations of and preparations for
parenthood.
-References from at least two persons who know the applicants well.
-Assitement of the resources of the applicants as adoptive parents and their ability to take care of
children of a certain age and with certain needs.
The investigation is carried out by professional social worker –an official of the local social
welfare comitee-Who furnices the documentation for the decision b the comittee as well as for
the authorities in the other country representing the child’’6
According to the ONU and the lows imposed by Unicef, in Romania international adoptions
are allowed but in reality things are different. A long while they have been banned by President
Basescu,because it was some problematic cases. Many children have been adopted from
Romania for buying or selling their organs- Live organ trafficking and for scientific
experiments. Now due to bureaucracy and the many acts and laws, pose obstacles to such
procedures. One of the recommendations of ONU is raising the moratorium concerning
international adoption, because now is limited for the relatives abroud of the children.
Legislation on international adoptions in Sweden is quite complex, but to better understand the
differences between Romania and Sweden, submitted an article in Romanian legislation:
6
‘’ Adoption in Sweden- Policies and procedures concerning Intercountry Adoption’’ MIA , Swedish Intercountry
Adoptions Authority 2005, http://www.mia.eu/english/sweden.pdf, pages 6
‘’The application of the adopter or adoptive family is taken out only if the Office of the State
receiving central competent authority or its accredited organizations and authorized under the
law state that:
a) the adopter or adoptive family meets the eligibility requirements for adoption and is fit to
adopt in accordance with applicable law in the receiving State;
b) the adopter or adoptive family in need of counsel for adoption in the receiving State;
c) is provided following the evolution of the child after adoption for a period of at least two
years;
d) post-adoption services are provided for children and families in the receiving State.’’7
Another differences is that in Romania, it is not an open adoption, in the sense that the two
families to meet each other, but rather are provided by adoptive families that they will be able to
take the child and the decision when to say when it will do, if you like this, an acknowledgment
or a reunion with their biological parents.
Same sex adoption. Since February 2003, allowed adoption by gay or lesbian couples. This
law entered into force as Denmark, Iceland and the Netherlands. In Romania this law is still not
allowed because there are many prejudices in this regard.
In terms of legislation, the adoption of a child is similar to that of Romania and in Sweden an
adopted child from another country has the same rights as a normal child. Both in Sweden and
Romania both parents and child (when is the right reason - over 10 years in Romania) have to be
agreed with adoption procedures. According to the Parental Code adopted child rights are the
same as a child and biological parents should be treated with respect and not be constrained.
They are careful monitorised by the specialized institutions .
Institutions in Romania are taking care of children are : Directorate General of Social Security,
Child Protection, which are public institutions. There are no voluntary institutions to be
7
‘’Legislation: The Law number 273/21.06. 2010 concerning the adoption juridich regimes’’, 44 Article,
chapter 4, http://www.adoptiiromania.ro/legislatie-nationala.html
authorized. Despite this, there are NGOs and large companies and corporations sometimes take
the responsibility of the state. An example is Kraft Foods, which are annual charity. Whether the
child's birthday celebrations or holidays, Kraft Foods donates food, clothes and a percentage of
company revenues orphans. Besides this, employees within the company is personally involved
in various activities to bring children a smile. I encourage both adults and pupils and students to
participate in these actions.
To sum up, the Swidish welfare policies is concentrate on child owns good and the state make
more easier their life. Because of that there are not so many problems with orphans in Sweden ,
but in Romania the problems are bigger and bigger. The factors are many like: it’s a transition
country, low income, low GDP- for the welfare policies, a lot of orphans and we can say that is
a excuse that the history wasn’t so kind to Romania- It’s a post communism country. The
solutions aren’t founded yet, because the welfare policy is quite something ‘’ new’’.
Bibilography:
1. ‘’The politics of Adoptation. Interventional Perspectives and Low , Policy and Practice’’
by Kerry O’ Halloron,Springer Science and Business Media B.V. 2009.
2. ’ Child Welfare in Sweden-a overview ‘’ ( Sven Hessle & Bo Vinerjung )
www.sws.soton.ac.uk/cwab/Guide/KRsweden.rtf
3. Adoption in Sweden- Policies and procedures concerning Intercountry Adoption’’
MIA , Swedish Intercountry Adoptions Authority 2005,
http://www.mia.eu/english/sweden.pdf, pages 6
4. , http://www.adoptiiromania.ro/legislatie-nationala.html
5.’’Growth development of Indian children in Sweden’’, Author: Proos L. A., Sources :
Indian Journal of medical research, November 2009, www. ubu. umu. se
6. ‘’To be non white in a colour blind society conversation with adoptees and adoptive
parent in Sweden on every day racism’’,Author : Hurlinette, Tobias, Sources: Journal of inter
cultural studies’’, www.ubu. umu. se
7. ‘’ Adoption in Sweden- Policies and procedures concerning Intercountry Adoption’’
MIA , Swedish Intercountry Adoptions Authority 2005, http://www.mia.eu/english/sweden.pdf,
8. http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu
