What do you think the adoption industry is trying to accomplish by...?

Question

its pro-active approach to domestic adoption with its "New Marketing Campaign's"?

I'm asking this question because I was really interested in Sly's post:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlOUr3UNu8lADQRKoeUrop9q.Bd.;_ylv=3?qid=20080822102833AAFBZGV

I would recommend everyone read the following article in its entirety and try to think about it without the prejudice of any experience you are having or had with adoption.

Keep in mind the money involved as well as whose interest is being served.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-08-12-foreign-adoptions_N.htm?csp=34

Ignore my opinion and express your own.

Answer 1

The agencies have a potential customer base, and provide the service of walking people through the very complicated regulations and process of adoption. I think most of the agencies started with the best of intentions, and not as money grubbing opportunism.

When the laws change, they change tactics. We adopted at a point where Russia was opening up, and several other countries were closing down. A few months later, Russia was changing all its laws, and people were looking at Belarus.

I think the agencies have remarkably little influence on the national and international laws in question. Much of it is based on nationalistic pride. A little is based on the welfare of children.

Our friends did an open adoption through their church. We did a foreign adoption. Both have worked out well for us, and for our children. At the time, I think ours was actually less complicated.

[Wow, I am surprised that this was seen so negatively. Not too friendly to strangers in this forum, huh?]

Answer 2

To focus on one specific example:  Phan's father did not realize that he was being asked to give her up permanently, so the State Dept. has refused the necessary paperwork to allow her to enter the USA.  To me that seems appropriate.  

BUT, the PAP's have already painted her bedroom, they've bought her clothes, they've told their sons she is coming...so what's the hold-up?  Something is VERY wrong with that sort of thinking.

And that is one of the reasons that makes me suspicious of foreign adoption.

Answer 3

Why does it bother me that--because international adoption is finally getting some regulation in place--people are 'having to look into foster care and domestic adoptions'.

It sickens me to think that so many see foster children as 'less than'. It sickens me to think of the numerous times people have asked me about my achild's 'behavior problems', his 'history', his 'crappy parents'...all b/c he is a 'foster child'. I don't believe foster care is the end all be all in ethics and morality...and I see many problems in the foster care world that need to be corrected....however, I guess it just always stuns me that people can 'pick' a child. It kind of feels like visiting McDonalds at the last possible minute before they close for the night.

"I want a Big Mac'.

"Oh, we're out of those.'

'Well, how about just a cheesburger?'

'Nope, sorry, the grill is closed'.

'Well, what about some fries?'

'Oh, we can't reheat the oil.'

'Well, just give me the apple pie then'.

Honestly, that is what it feels like.

'I really want a foreign baby, but I'll take a foreign toddler....'

'ooh, I'll have to settle on a domestic baby.'

' Ohh, that's too costly, I'll take a foster baby, white with no problems please.'

'The wait is how long!?!!? ugh...I'll just take the youngest possible free child you can get me...preferably white with no problems please.'

I just want everything to be ethical...I just never want to question my child's legitimate need for a family. I can't imagine any adoptive parent NOT wanting their child to be legitimately orphaned/abandoned/abused/etc. before officially adopting them.

Sorry so long!!

<<adoptive mommy through foster care.