Women in Agriculture

Lesson 6 : Rights of Women- II

Adoption and Guardianship

Hindu Adoption & Maintenance Act 1958 amends and codifies the laws relating to adoption and maintenance among Hindus. Any Hindu male or female who is major and single (also implying divorced or widowed) can adopt Hindu children below the age of 15 years. A married female cannot adopt; a married male can adopt with the consent of his wife. If the adopter and adoptee are of different sexes there should be an age difference of 21 years between the two. Section 9 enjoins the court to consider the wishes of the child to be adopted before granting permission. Section 17 prohibits any payment to prevent trafficking. Section 20 binds a parent to maintain his/her legitimate/ illegitimate children. All minors can claim maintenance from his/her father/mother.