131 Do you think adopted children should know they have been adopted? Why? Why not? Immediately after conception the cells in a foetus can begin to accumulate tiny genetic mutations which can lead to serious diseases. This is the result of Order 17100 of 26th June 2019 of the Italian Corte di Cassazione . Article no. 6 Law 184/83, modified by Law 149/2001. bond: legame carer: (qui) affidatario foster care: affidamento to raise: crescere, allevare to reverse: (qui) annullare unadvised: sconsigliato ADOPTING AND FOSTERING FAMILIES Adoption Adoption is a legal procedure by which children who cannot be raised by their own family or who are orphans find a new family. The legal procedure implies the transfer of parental responsibility to the adoptive parents and cannot be reversed, except in very rare circumstances. The adopted children become full members of the new family and usually change their surname to that of their adoptive parents. The reasons There are basically two main reasons behind an adoption: the impossibility of having biological children because of the infertility of one or both parents or because a pregnancy is impossible or unadvised for health reasons. In fact, a pregnancy can be dangerous for the mother, but also for the children because of the transmission of serious genetic diseases ; an act of generosity of parents who already have (or might have) children but decide to give other children (orphans or in difficult conditions) a better opportunity in life. Prospective parents Since 2019, anyone over 21 , not only married couples, but also single parents, disabled people, and also elderly people can adopt. The well-being of the adopted child is crucial, and it is what has to be taken into account when deciding who will adopt. This is why the prospective parents need to satisfy a series of requirements fixed by law as what must be guaranteed is the continuity in the affective bond between the child and the new family. Fostering Fostering differs from adoption in the sense that it is temporary. The responsibility of the child in foster care is a joint responsibility shared by the carers, the local authority, and the child s parents. However, fostering can be a long-term plan and end up with an adoption. It does not provide the same legal security as an adoption, but it can be the right solution, especially when there are biological parents who are facing a difficult period or situation. 268 SOCIETY HELPS