International Adoption?

Question

Aren't there enough children in America that need adopting? What is the deal with the current trend of international adoption. Is it because celebs do it? Can someone explain? I would prefer if you didnt start your answers with America is the greatest country and we need to adopt children from other less fortunate countries. answers like that are the reason the world hates America

Answer 1

International adoption can sometimes be a faster process than American (domestic) adoption. Most Americans also desire to adopt newborns, where as International adoption placements usually occur when the baby is 3-9 mos and sometimes older. While there are many processes (legal) for both, when you say International vs American, you have to put yourself in the place of adoptive parents. Adoption in most cases is a couples only choice in building a family and being a Parent. It doesn't matter where you adopt from, what matters is the basics of adoption, Giving a child an opportunity they may not have had prior to adoption, and receiving one of the greatest gifts, being a parent.

Laws are changing with international adoption as well, there are tougher requirements.........some asian countries even have stipulations that the "adoptive couple must be attractive"........while totally rediculous, this adds to the "wait", and also the "frustration" that occurs with adoption processes. Adoption is very emotional, and requires a ton of patience.

The bottom line is that All countries have issues with children that are not planned for, placed in foster care or orphan homes, and America is included here. The answer to your question is YES, there ARE enough children in America that need adopting, however, most are older, not infants.

Again, adoption is a personal choice, and no one should be judged based on what their personal preference is for beginning a family.

Answer 2

Hello, my name is Chelsea Cha, and I am a grade 11 student at Earl Haig Secondary School. For my Family Studies research project, I am conducting a study of the factors that encourage couples and single parents to access international adoption agencies to adopt children. You have been chosen for an interview because you are in the process of adopting or have adopted a child through international adoption. Your identity will not be revealed. I am only interested in finding out generally why people choose this form of adoption. No individual answers will be used, just group answers or percentages. Individual answers will not be discussed with agency.Please answer the survey through the link below. Thank you.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/internationaladoption123

Answer 3

First of all, Americans have been adopting internationally for about 50 years now. Because a few celebs have adopted and been in the spotlight lately it's gotten more media attension, but I assure you people are adopting because they want to add to their families, and not to be "cool".
We adopted our kids internationally, and one reason was that it was less risky then domestic adoption. Private domestic adoption can be twice as expensive as int. adoption, have a lot longer wait, and the adoption could still fall through.
Also, the kids in th US that you hear about "needing homes" are in foster care, and many will not be available for adoption. Most of the children that are, are over the age of 8, and many have emotional, developmental, or physical special needs, or have suffered physical and sexual abuse. Not every family would be able to meet the needs of these kids.
Finally, children need families no matter where they're born.

Answer 4

I was not going to adopt internationally for a multitude of reasons. We sought out ways to adopt here in the States - we got to the final court hearing for parental rights termination on 2 children (who were very special needs), and the courts gave the children back to the abusive, drug using (which was why the children were special needs - the birth mother had used drugs throughout both pregnancies)biological parents. We attempted private adoption, but we could not afford it. Unfortunately, since insurance does not pay for adoptions, and many companies do not have adoption assistance programs, finances do play a huge role in chosing which road to take for adoption. I needed to be able to support the child I adopt, and by the time all the domestic fees, birth mother fees, court fees, etc are paid, I would have been so deep in debt that I could not provide the basics for the child. Americans basically choose to abort their children instead of bringing them into the world and allowing those willing and capable of rearing them in loving homes to do so. Children that are legally free to be adopted are not as plentiful as people seem to believe. After years of infertility, failed domestic adoptions, and serious drains on our finances, international adoption was the only way we could afford to have children. We have now been blessed with 2 daughters from China (which contrary to popular belief and new stories over the last couple of years currently has one of the most honest, fair, and ethical adoption programs in existance). Did I adopt because the celebs did - heavens no. I did it because I had a lot of love to give a child and a deep desire to be a mother. Americas current system is genetically friendly, not family or child friendly.

Answer 5

Depending on the country, international adoptiong can be FAR easier than adopting from America. Restrictions are much lower for many countries, and so you can be approved for adoption much easier. To give an example, in America newborns are wanted by many, many people. So the criteria you have to meet to even be a candidate are high; you need a certain amount of money, you should be married, you should be of a certain age, etc etc etc. For many international countries, a single parent (mother or father) can adopt a very young child without having to meet the marriage requirement, for example. I think the requirements and difficulty of adopting in America is one of the main reasons people adopt from other countries.

Answer 6

Many people choose international adoption because they feel it is "safer". The US does not make adoption easy or affordable.

When adoptive parents adopt in the US, there is always the chance that the birthmother will change her mind at the last minute. If that occurs, all of the money spent on the adoption to that point (thousands of dollars) is completely lost. It destroys the adoptive parents emotionally and financially. With an international adoption, you are almost "guaranteed" a child.

Also with international adoption, it removes the fear that the birthparents will try to interfere in future years. You don't have to constantly look over your shoulder or worry what will happen if the birthparent finds your child.

That being said, we adopted in the US. It was not easy, and I do worry what will happen if my son's bio parents ever try to find us, but I wouldn't trade our adoption for the world. It is a journey full of ups & downs, but worth every bit in the end.

Answer 7

I too adopted internationally. We did not want to adopt a child that could be given back to it's birth parents based on the whims of the U.S. court system. We did not want to participate in an open adoption where the birth parents also become a part of the family and are involved in the child's life. In order for a birth mother to chose us to parent her child in a private closed adoption, we would have needed to be younger, thinner, richer and better looking. The birthmother gets to chose, there is no rhyme nor reason to it. In an adoption in China, the government places the baby with parents based on a first come first served basis. No competition, no funds spent without results. It was much quicker to adopt from China than adopting here, with much less risk. Would I have liked to stay in America and adopt, sure, but the laws here and the system here favors the birth parents rights, not the welfare of the child or the rights of the adoptive parents. I couldn't risk my family on those things

Answer 8

I think most people who chose to adopt internationally have at one time or another looked at adopting from the states. I know we did.Unfortunately, a private US infant adoption can cost just as much if not more than an international adoption, and with domestic adoptions, there are very often issues that come up with the birthfamily (changing their minds etc) that doesn't happen with international adoptions.
True, you can recieve an infant from some foster care situations, but quite often the children are traumatized from sexual abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome, born addicted to drugs, and they often are left with lifelong problems. NOT saying that internationally adopted children don't have these issues but not NEARLY as much.
I know that foster care isn't a perfect situation( some kids have been abused, etc)but overall the US fosterkids have a lot more than most kids in 3rd world countries have. These kids have no doctors, dentists, schools, and some don't even have food or clothing. Not even the basics.

Answer 9

Although I agree with you...adoption is a great thing no matter where the baby comes from. Most want babies which are scarce and hard to come by, without being on a waiting list forever! We just went through our local health and human services and have two wonderful little boys (one we are hoping to adopt...the other little on is still new in our home and we have no idea what is going to happen)

Answer 10

I think those in orphanages in the worst conditions would be best to be rescued, where no love is given as I have heard about those in Eastern Europe and not sure if same in Greece...