Adoption practices vary significantly across the globe, reflecting diverse cultural values, legal frameworks, and societal needs. While some nations prioritize the welfare of children and offer extensive support to adoptive families, others utilize adoption to address unique demographic or traditional requirements.

In Switzerland, both married couples and single parents can adopt, though the process often spans several years, with the child's well-being as the paramount concern. Prospective parents must contact their cantonal Adoption Monitoring and Licensing Agency (SASLP) to register for an awareness course on adoption. Only upon completing this course can they submit an application.

Authorities then evaluate several criteria: adoptive parents must be 28 years or older, married couples must have been wed for at least three years, and the age difference between the adoptive parents and the child must be a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 45 years. Parents must demonstrate the ability to provide long-term, diligent care for the child, ensuring the adoption also benefits any other children they may have.

Since 7/2022, Switzerland has recognized same-sex marriage and permits these couples to adopt. Photo: Swiss Info

Since 7/2022, Switzerland has recognized same-sex marriage and permits these couples to adopt. Photo: Swiss Info

To verify these conditions, a social worker and psychologist meet with the prospective parents multiple times to gather information. If a child is capable of making their own decisions, they can express their views. While Switzerland does not set a fixed age for consultation, it is typically 12 years old. This assessment process can take two to three years.

Following approval, eligible parents welcome the child into their care for a trial period of at least 12 months, under strict supervision by authorities. After this probationary period, the Children's Court reviews the case and makes a final decision. Switzerland only considers adopting children who are at least six weeks old.

Couples adopting children under four years old are entitled to two weeks of paid leave, receiving 80% of their salary or 220 CHF per day (approximately 7,5 million VND). This policy applies to employees or business owners who have contributed to the mandatory Old Age and Survivors' Insurance (OASI) for at least nine months before the adoption.

Since 7/2022, Switzerland has recognized same-sex marriage and allows these couples to adopt. Many other countries, including France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Canada, US, Brazil, Argentina, and Australia, have also adopted similar legislation.

In Japan, a unique phenomenon sees 98% of adoption cases involving adult men, typically aged 20-30, rather than children. This practice dates back centuries, rooted in the Japanese civil code that governed the distribution of family assets after the household head's death.

Traditionally, wealth and property were passed down through the male lineage, starting with the eldest son. However, if a family had no biological sons, the law stipulated that an adopted son could continue the family business and inherit assets upon the death of the household head. This tradition persists due to an aging population and record-low birth rates.

Former Suzuki chairman Osamu Suzuki was an adopted son who succeeded the family business. Photo: Bloomberg

Former Suzuki chairman Osamu Suzuki was an adopted son who succeeded the family business. Photo: Bloomberg

Families with only daughters often seek to adopt a son to carry on the family name and business. Osamu Matsuda, the former chairman of Suzuki, exemplifies this tradition; he married the founder's granddaughter, adopted his wife's surname, and became Osamu Suzuki. There are even specialized "matchmaking" companies that recruit willing adult adoptees for Japanese corporations.

Japan's current Civil Code outlines two forms of adoption: ordinary adoption and special adoption. In ordinary adoption, any adult can adopt another person. If married, they must do so jointly with their spouse, unless adopting their spouse's child. After establishing the relationship, the adoptee assumes the legal status of a biological child and takes the adoptive parents' surname.

Special adoption establishes a stronger legal bond, completely severing the child's legal relationship with their biological parents and blood relatives. The conditions for adoptive parents in this form are stricter, requiring them to be married and at least 25 years old. While an ordinary adoption can be terminated by mutual agreement, a special adoption can only be dissolved through a court order. The adoptee's inheritance rights to their original family's assets are restored upon termination.

These two forms of adoption are also applied in France. Additionally, France provides a parental leave scheme for adoptive parents, offering up to 22 weeks, which is longer than Switzerland's, depending on the number of children adopted and existing children in the family. Both parents can take leave concurrently for adoption.

For example, if adopting one child and having no other children, they can take a maximum of 18 continuous weeks of leave or divide it into two periods. If adopting two or more children and already having biological children, they may receive up to 22 weeks of leave. Throughout this "maternity" leave, both spouses receive 100% of their salary, bonuses, and allowances, equivalent to their working income. Beyond this period, they retain their annual leave, sick leave, and other entitlements, totaling up to 32 days.

Upon concluding their "maternity" leave, adoptive parents are reinstated to their original position or an equivalent role, as close as possible to their previous responsibilities. Parents must be at least 26 years old, at least 15 years older than the adoptee, and undergo a six-month "trial" period, similar to Switzerland. Children aged 13 or older can express their opinion on the adoption.

After a child is officially adopted, the local council conducts annual assessments of the adoptive parents. If the adoptive parents fail to meet the necessary conditions, authorities can revoke their adoption rights.

Hai Thu (According to Ch.Ch, Independent, Service Public Gouv Fr)