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Although individuals have adopted internationally for years, it was not until the end of the Vietnam War that the American public caught a glimpse of the Amer-Asian children our G.I.s left behind. For many Americans, seeing the images of these children being mistreated and shunned by the Vietnamese was the impetus for Americans to seriously start considering adoption abroad.
Since that time Americans have adopted at an increasing rate from regions such as Korea, Vietnam, Latin America, China, the former Soviet Union and Europe. What may have started as a humanitarian effort to provide food, shelter and love to the half-Americans the war in Vietnam left behind, has evolved to become a viable option for singles and couples desiring to adopt.
The forum of adoption within the United States is constantly changing. Due to the media's coverage of several high profile adoption cases where adoptive families were ordered by various Courts to return children to their birth parents, many Americans considering adoption have become fearful of adopting domestically. They perceive the American social service and judicial systems as being pro birth parent even at the expense of the health and well-being of a child.
In recent years there has been a continuing thrust towards open adoption within the United States. In some instances, both adoptive and birth families have struggled with the issues of open adoption. For others, open adoption is a perfect solution for adoptive and birth families alike.
Pros of International Adoption
One of the positive aspects of adopting internationally is the availability of children. A couple who already has several male birth children would certainly be able to adopt a baby girl from China, since it is more likely for a female infant to be abandoned or surrendered for adoption in that country. The availability of infants and toddlers abroad can significantly reduce the waiting time a couple may face in a domestic adoption.
Another plus about adopting internationally is that in countries with overcrowded orphanages there are fewer restrictions placed on adopting families. Several countries encourage single parents to adopt, as well as, married couples.
Lastly, for adoptive families who are apprehensive about participating in an open adoption or who are concerned that one of the birth parents may seek to stop or overturn the adoption process, international adoption offers peace of mind. In most cases the parental rights of a child have been terminated prior to the child being released by the government for adoption. Relinquishments in the country of Mexico are irrevocable, meaning that a birth parent cannot under any circumstance petition for a child to be returned.
Cons of International Adoption
A major obstacle in international adoption is red tape! There almost always seems to be one additional piece of paper to obtain; which must be notarized in triplicate, one more "t" to cross, and one more "i" to dot. Families adopting internationally must file an I-600 Petition and supporting documentation with their local Immigration and Naturalization Service office. A passport must also be obtained in order to travel abroad. They must also collect and file a volume of documentation requested by the country the family desires to adopt from. This process can take several weeks to a few months to complete.
The cost of adopting internationally can become expensive when a family is required to travel and stay in a foreign country for several weeks. They may incur a lose of wages due to a lengthy stay as well. Typically, families adopting internationally and domestically incur some of the same fees such as an application, homestudy and legal fee. However, it is customary in the case of international adoption to incur additional fees such as translation of documents and monetary "thank you" gifts to the orphanage, court clerk who processes your child's file, and a few others along the way.
Other concerns when adopting internationally are the volatile political and civil conditions within a country. Political and civil unrest in South American countries have been known to shut down government operations, leaving adoptive families helpless in a foreign land. American citizens are not always welcomed with open arms when adopting. It has been reported in newspapers in Mexico and Guatemala that some people believe American couples adopt children for the purpose of bringing them into the United States to be used as organ donors.
Pros of domestic adoption:
Although domestic adoption agencies have been known for having long waiting lists, adoptive families with completed portfolios are finding themselves at an advantage--especially in the private adoption realm. An adoptive family's portfolio usually contains photos of themselves and a "Dear Birth Mother" letter introducing themselves to a birth mother and telling why they would like to adopt. One of the advantages to adopting domestically is the possibility of adopting a newborn.
Domestic open adoption allows both adoptive and birth parents to meet and exchange information with each other. As an adopted child matures, his or her adoptive family can share medical and biographical information about the child's birth parents. An adoptive family's fear of the unknown can be replaced with feelings of warmth and gratitude towards the person or persons who gave life to the child they cherish.
It has been commonly assumed that adoption is a very expensive task to undertake. However, domestic adoption is not necessarily as expensive as many would believe. Families adopting through local state or county offices usually find the costs of adopting to be very reasonable.
Some More Things to Consider
In cases where the parental rights of a child have not been terminated prior to the start of the adoption process, the uncertainty of the outcome of an adoption is a very real and frightening fact that an adoptive family cannot ignore.
Private adoption can be expensive when couples plan to adopt a newborn. In addition to the cost of a homestudy and legal fees normally incurred in adoption, the adoptive family may be responsible for living expenses of the birth mother and any minor children she may have, along with medical expenses in connection with prenatal, childbirth, and post partum care.
Even though a family may decide to adopt utilizing an open adoption forum, once the baby is born it is not unusual for the adoptive family to retreat from the birth mother. The pressure of continued contact with a birth parent after the birth and placement of a child can leave an adoptive family with feelings of being insecure and overwhelmed.
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