[kllee4]

I don't believe that there should be age limits at all, for some of the reasons that LisaCA mentioned, as well as others not mentioned. There are always instances where tragedies in life can, do and often will, happen. What about cases in which (as society may see it), a "perfect" young couple in their late twenties decides to adopt or begin fertility treatments and successfully begin a family. Out of nowhere an illness, accident, homicide, etc. occurs with one or both parents being killed, leaving the child without their parents. Should ANY parent decide not to begin a family by whatever means because they fear bad things may happen?

Also, it is a fact of life now that we are living longer, healthier lives than even our parents' generation and are continually aging better and better, the more we know. If loving, nurturing parents of ANY age can afford it and want to have a family, then why not, I say? We can argue that the children of older parents may regret it. But don't most of us have regrets about our childhoods regarding how we were raised. My mother was a wonderfully nurturning woman (my parents were both 18 when they had me) and while my parents provided me with a wonderful life, she was emotionally insecure/immature. Even at the ripe "old" age of 51, she continues to struggle emotionally. I don't think it matters on how young/old a parent is, but the question should be, can they enrich the life of a child?

I think LisaCA, made a good point of saying that with so many children in need of good homes (the majority being children of color), then excluding "older" couples from pursuing an addition to their family in any way, would do these children a great disservice, and, in turn, a disservice to society as well.