Why do so many people adopt from other countries when there are so many in the US who need loved too?

Question

There are so many children here in the United States who need loving and caring homes. So why do so many people go to other countries to adopt child? I realize it brings a cultural impact to those around the child, but not only is it more costly, but that leaves so many children in orphanages and foster homes just longing for someone to love them too. I understand the desire to help someone, but why can't American's help those in their own country first?

Answer 1

I think the answer is that there just aren't enough newborn babies available in the US. People are afraid to adopt older children because you don't know if they've been abused or anything else that could be big baggage later on.

I also think that more single mothers in the US are raising their kids instead of giving them up. There are more resources out there for them than there were in the 60's.

Answer 2

I have never adopted but wish I could. My daughter would be thrilled if I adopted. I have talked to so many people who have adopted both american children and children from other countries. And they told me that the reason they adopted from other countries is that the processs in America is so long and drawn out and if something is just a little bit out place you can get turned down. You can get turned down because of a old arrest charge where you were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. And you did nothing wrong. That is the reason why. I do agree that we should help our own country first but the government has made it almost impossiable if you are not rich to adopt. Or if you are not the perfect person. Hope this answers your question.

Answer 3

Because sometimes it is easier. It may cost more money, but the us has crazy restrictions. If you have any health problems, even something that is under control like high blood pressure, you can be denied adoption, if you are over weight you can be denied adoption, if you are over or under a certain age you can be denied adoption. in the us the bio parents have the right to choose who adopts their child, so if they don't like what you do for a living, or how you look, or that you smoke, or anything like that they can choose not to give their baby to you. Over seas adoptions take time too, but in some cases there is less yellow tape to cross.

you questions comes along with my age old question. you see the commercials for children in forign countries right, pay this much money a day and this child you have sponsored will be able to eat and go to school and have medical care.

What about the starving children in America??? Why are we sending our money over seas when there are children living on our own streets here in our own country???

A woman that i know very well told me that our starving children aren't near as bad off as the ones over seas!

WHO FREAKING CARES THEY ARE STILL STARVING!

Sorry for the rant, but i completely understand what you mean. just because you can sent 20 dollars over seas and feed a child for a month, and you can keep 20 dollars for a child in the us and it will feed them for two days, doesn't mean you should worry about America's children first. I would expect all countries to feel that way about their own.

Answer 4

I cannot believe some of the selfish, RACIST answers on here! A child is a child and deserves a loving home and family no matter what country they are originally from.

Answer 5

Many people who adopt want infants. Most women in the US now choose to keep their babies.

And a few selfish (insecure?) and entitled people admit that they get babies from another country so they will never have to deal with or think about the birth family. In their struggle to erase one family, they take a child out of its family, culture, language, continent.

I don't mean to say international adoption is always wrong, only that doing it for selfish reasons is wrong.

And Brianna, give me one case. Just one case in which an adoptive couple whose adoption was legally finalized had to surrender the child at age four. You can't. It does not happen.

Answer 6

I am not sure about the US, in Canada adopting locally can take years and ultimately the birth parents have priority so can, later in life, reclaim their child if they prove in court they are capable. Also, unfortunately, many of the children in the system are special needs cases, and new parents do not feel ready to take that on as their first child. And rightly so - special needs kids require greater attention and resources and it can very quickly overwhelm a new parent - clearly not in the best interest of the child.

Third world adopting offers a defined timeline and the ability to adopt a new born child. It also allows the parents to become "experience parents" who, as studies show, are more likely to adopt a second time and more likely to adopt locally.

So, back off, allow them to create the family that they want, and they are likley to stay close to home for future children.

Answer 7

Because there aren't enough babies available in the U.S. and people want babies not older children. Most kids available for adoption in the foster care system are over the age of 5. And people don't like the fact that a woman considering relinquishment has the right to change her mind - so they go to a country where that's not an issue.

Answer 8

There are several reasons, different for different people. There are a lot more couples waiting to adopt infants than there are infants being placed for adoption in the U.S., so that could be part of it, although a lot of times when you adopt foreign you don't get an infant anyway.

I think some people feel that children from 3rd world countries are the ones that can benefit the most by being adopted by people in the US. Even the people in US who are considered to be living in "poverty" have A LOT more than people in 3rd world countries. At least in our country there is welfare through the government, foster care programs, etc. Other countries don't have all that in place.

I also think some people can't exactly put a specific reason on it, but have just always wanted to adopt from a foreign country. A lot of the kids being adopted from foreign countries such as Romania ARE in orphanages and adoption gives them an actual home and family.

Answer 9

This seems to be a really popular question, it gets asked every week!
We choose to adopt internationally because we wanted to be parents to a child that really needed parents and not be a part of the screwed up system that is adoption and foster care here in the US.

I was moved by the abandonment of girls in China and decided I wanted to give a little girl (or boy) the chance to be somebody, anybody they wanted.

And just so you know we do help kids here, we work with the local Boys & Girls Club and donate to local charities that support children and families.

Answer 10

Actually the screening on adoptive parents overseas adoptions are low. there is no law to protect the child and their family. I mean Cambodia the adoption process over there was halted for sometime because come to find out some of the birth mothers didn't consent to adoption. they thought they were putting the kids in a boarding school of some kind. these mothers were told "oh we will take care of your child and when you get yourself ready, just come and get them." most cases these parents would go back only to find their child gone. this is so true!! I watched it on dateline, elizabeth vargas did a whole show on it! it was quite distrubing on how this adoption agency lied to these parents on both sides. because the adoptive parents paid them money to get a kid and come to find out the child shouldn't of been up for adoption. If you really want to help, then open your home to kids thru foster care or donate money to charities that go over to these countries so provide schools and meals. but don't adopt overseas because it's the quickest and easiest way to get a child.