Why are overseas adoptions so popular in America?

Question

Are the laws more strict or what? We have so many children right here in the States that need good homes, why are Americans looking in these far off Asian countries? I do not mean to offend anyone, a child is a child no matter where they come from, but why all the interest in children overseas?

Answer 1

Foster Kids in US need loving homes too!!

If I was one of those children that was in foster care and wanted so bad to find a family.I will be upset that people are going oversea to adopt.

Answer 2

Because it's easier. Less paperwork because of the poverty.

Answer 3

Here in PA, the adoption laws make the whole process very difficult for people who want to adopt.  Even if you want to adopt an older child, a disabled child, or a set of siblings, you're facing an uphill battle.  If adoption was for adults who didn't really care if they were placed with a child or not, then maybe domestic adoptions in PA would suit them... but that's not the case.  For people who are aching for children, domestic adoption is a gamble.  Maybe it'll work, maybe it won't.  Maybe their adoption will never even get off the ground, or maybe they'll have the kid almost in their arms when the process is frozen forever.  That's why a lot of people here go international.  Adopting internationally isn't easy, and it takes more money, but a lot of people feel that it's a better option than adopting domestically if you really want a child.

Another reason is that many people (myself included) understand that the US is a darn good place to be born.  If you're born in the US, you're already better off than almost anyone else on earth.  We've got good schools, good hospitals, enough food, a social safety net, etc.  However, even if you are an orphan in the US and grow up in foster care (which is not at all an ideal way to grow up), you're STILL better off than an orphan in one of the world's many poor nations.  If you're an orphan in the US, there is food and water to feed you.  In some poor nations, there just isn't any food or clean water to be had, even for people who've got a little money to buy some.  If you're an orphan in the US, your odds of dying from exposure to heat or cold are low.  This isn't true in a lot of other places.  If you're an orphan in the US, you probably are not going to be sold into prostitution as a toddler.  In many other places, this is almost a sure thing.  

So, that's why.  When you're working with a system of laws that don't help match children with "forever families," and you know that there are children out there who will die if you don't intervene, and intervening to help those children is something that you can actually do, it's completely understandable that a

person would choose to adopt from "far off Asian countries," African nations, the former Russian federation states, etc.

I know of a couple who'd been married for years and desperately wanted children but who were unable to have them biologically.  They so wanted children that they were willing to adopt any child.  They were finally matched with a middle schooler who had a sister of a similar age, and they agreed to take her sister, too.  Sounds great, right?  Older children, sibling set... the state should be glad to place them, right?  Well, after months of paperwork, they were told everything was going well, and they got the girls 'bedrooms all ready, and they were told that the girls would be arriving within days... and then they got a phone call that the girls were being sent to live with their biological grandmother.  The woman didn't have a good record of looking out for their best interests, and she hadn't worked for months to get them like this couple had... but that's the way the system works.  The couple was so devastated that they decided never to pursue adoption again.

Answer 4

The children are exotic and a much better fashion accessory if they come from outside the U.S.

Besides those kids in the U.S. are just the dirty poor.

Unfortunately that is the real reason people adopt from foreign countries when so many wonderful, deserving U.S. kids are left out.  This is another reason to get behind g*y/L*****n adoption.  Here is a large pool of potential parents that want to help U.S. kids and should be allowed to adopt them.

People have all kinds of reasons for ignoring the problems at home, hopefully more real "Americans" will step up to the plate for our kids who need homes..

Answer 5

Unfortunately, the US Government does not support adoptive parents as much as they could.  Many of the families that I know who chose to adopt internationally did it because they were almost "guaranteed" a child.  

Here in the US, a biological parent has so many ways to back out of the adoption once the child is born.  An adoptive family can spend tens of thousands of dollars only to have the adoption "fall through".  Many adoptive families cannot risk the heartache of another loss (many have suffered infertility).  And once they have spent the money on the failed adoption, they do not have the money to go through another adoption process again.  With international adoption, the children have already been "cleared" for adoption, so many adoptive families feel it is a "safer" risk for them to adopt internationally.

Also many families are concerned with the biological family trying to make contact with the child later in life (before he/she turns 18).  By adopting internationally, they can remove that fear usually.  

I hope that offers a different perspective on the situation from someone who has considered international adoption.  While I do believe that there are children here in the US that need families and would like to see more US children adopted before we go outside the country, I do believe that ALL children, regardless of nationality, deserve a loving family.

Answer 6

Because the adoption policy here in the states in corrupt. Even after the parent(s) sign their legal rights away they can still come back and get their child. It sucks. Too expensive, time consuming, stressful, too much red tape to cut thru, and no guarantees.

Overseas adoption is so much easier, less waiting time, no worries about a parent coming to get their child.

My sister in law adopted from Russia. It was so much cheaper, less time, and no worries.

Answer 7

This question seems to get asked several times a week. Here is the answer I posted yesterday.

Many feel that even children in foster homes here in the US have it much, much better than children in orphanages or in the streets in many other countries...so feel they should adopt where the needs are greatest.

US foster children have medical care, shelter and food, educational opportunities, etc. while this is not true of orphans or children whose parents can't raise them elsewhere. Many children in Guatemala, for one example, actually live at the dump, surviving on whatever food and shelter materials they can pick out of the garbage. Girls that age out of orphanages in China are often put on the streets to live as beggars or prostitutes.

These are just a few examples.

Also, contrary to popular belief, it is not easier to adopt Internationally nor does it require less paperwork. The requirements are the same here, as far as a homestudy with background check is required, and with International you have the added immigration processes as well as the foreign country's laws and processes and requirements.

It is a very complicated and involved process, however the timeline is more predictable than a domestic adoption, and bringing home a child is pretty much guaranteed if you meet all the requirements and complete all the paper work properly. The children are already cleared by their country to be placed, and the birth parents are not involved so couples do not need to wait to be chosen. Also there are many, many more children in various foreign countries than there are children cleared for adoption in the US.

Answer 8

All of the intests are that there is so much work to go thourgh here in America like paper work and everything and sometimes it might even takes YEARS for the adoption to come through so most people adopt over seas

Answer 9

IT IS NOT CHEAPER OR EASIER.  IT IS A DECISION BASED ON A PERSONS WANTS BELIEFS AND HOW LONG THEY ARE WILLING TO WAIT YOU GO THROUGH SAME PROCESS AS IF YOU WERE ADOPTING IN US.  IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION ALL ADOPTIONS ARE DIFFERENT.  LOOK INTO YOUR HEART AND DO RESEARCH AND CLasses before making a decision

Answer 10

Each person has their own reasons. My reason (and the most common) is that 50% of the time the birth mom of infants back out here in the US. Other reasons might be...

1. domestic adoptions are considerably more expensive than many people believe and there are often hidden costs.

2. Health of the child- often the children of third world countries are healthier as drugs and alcohol are not readily affordable.

3. Some people happen to be interested in a certain culture

4. Some people have difficulty with being picked from a group of other people wanting families.... what will the birth Mom look for?

5. some people prefer their chances of placement when it is notg based on their age, marital status, income, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

Whatever their reasons are they are valid. You're right a child is a child no matter where they come from, you can not fault people for choosing the right child for their circumstances. My children are beautiful, they don't look like me but they fit my family and embrace their country of Origin as part of our families culture.

Answer 11

Myth: Paperwork and time is less with international adoption

Reality: The paperwork is overwhelming and it takes years to adopt from overseas as well as domestically. Neither choice is "easier" - both are an exercise in extreme patience.

Myth: People adopt from overseas because they want to be like the 'celebrities'.

Reality: People adopt from overseas because (1) they feel that is where God is leading them to their child, (2) they have cultural ties to that country (remember that ALL Americans --- unless you're Native American --- come from some other country somewhere down the line of their family tree!), (3) they want to have a multicultural family, (4) babies overseas are not considered available for adoption until the birthfamily has relinquished their rights (so no chance for anyone "changing their minds" after adoption), or (5) some other personal, private, fill-in-the-blank reason known only to that family.

I think we should stop judging how others' families come together and just be glad for the blessing that they are together.

Answer 12

I think the main reason is that kids here are often put up for adoption at an older age because they have been abused and such.  Overseas adoptions are probably more popular because you can get younger children, and often the children are put up for adoption because of poverty, not abuse.  People may feel there is less baggage that way.

Answer 13

We chose international adoption for several reasons. First the children that are waiting for homes in the US are in the foster care system. While some will be available for adoption, the top priority is reunification with birth families. and after waiting for years to become parents, we knew we couldn't handle loosing a child once they were in our home. We also knew that at this point we weren't prepared to parent an older child who'd suffered abuse or neglect. (maybe somedy in the future we will)

With private domestic adoption their is also a risk of the adoption failing, the wait time is very uncertain and since there are more prospective families then babies, we looked into international adoption. We were okay with adopting an older baby or toddler rather then a newborn and race wasn't an issue, so internation seemed right for us.

I know families who've adopted through foster care, private domestic, and international, each have their pros and cons and each family has to go the route that seems best for them and the child.

Answer 14

It's easier and usually done within three years even for a young child. Also, there is less of a problem with drugs and alcohol exposure in Asia (the women don't have access to either).

I agree with you in that we have kids who need to be taken care of, but I, for one, am too worried about not being up to taking good care of older children or children with FAS or behavior issues. I would think that's the reason for others too. Also, the emotional roller-coaster adoptive parents go through if they want a baby (younger child) is beyond me.

Answer 15

It is cheaper and easer to get a child in a different country than it is in the US. which it is sad that it depends on how much it is to adopted in the US.

Answer 16

People have misconceptions about US adoptions (too much paperwork, their "real" parents will show up and take them back, the kids are "damaged goods") but somehow overseas adoption seems magical and exotic.  People who want to specify "healthy white infant" need to know that little babies never come with money-back guarantees.

The reality is that private adoption in the US is challenging and expensive, but adoption from foster care is designed in the child's best interest, and ensures the adoptive parents are given great training and support.   To me, the best part is that they give you information about toddler, older child, and sibling adoption, so you get a chance to learn more, even if you didn't think those situations would work for you.

In our affluent, white-ish neighborhood, the most common response to "We're adopting!" was "Where are you going?".   People meant well, really!  Overseas adoption seems to be on "the list of what white people do" but I try to do my part to change that.

Just a few years later, I have a gorgeous, sweet, and talented daughter who babysits for some of the same neighbors.

Answer 17

Americans don't see how many kids in their own country needs parents. They go elsewhere.

Answer 18

Maybe there is less chances of the biological parents returning to reclaim their child?  Maybe they just want a different child? Maybe the parents think those children are more intelligence and that's what they desire but how can they know?  Maybe they feel they are lead to adopt children from their native countries? Whatever the reason I hope they love the babies and not rescind the adoptions.

Answer 19

I totally agree, I just posted a question sort of like this. We have different ethnicities if that's what they want. I think that you should be REQUIRED to adopt at least one from your own country and then you can go outside the country. Our kids are being left out because "its less paperwork"! (Answer #1) THAT IS RIDICULOUS! So you would give love to someone that isn't even born in your country and the kids from your own country feels bad cause you are always going to choose the "overseas kids" over them. WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD DO TO THEIR SELF-ESTEEM!?!? And then we wonder why America is going to the s***s? CAUSE PEOPLE DON'T CARE ABOUT OUR OWN KIDS CAUSE OF "LESS PAPER WORK!" RIDICULOUS!

Answer 20

The financial cost to domestically adopt a child in the US can be as high as $50,000 for the adoptive parents. Additionally many states in the US also have laws that protect the birth mother and give them the right to change their mind and take the infant or child back in a given amount of time. As you can imagine this creates a lot of anxiety for the adoptive parents after they have been taking care of the child and bonded with them for a year. Yes, some states allow the birth parent to change their mind after a full year. My wife used to be Labor and Delivery RN, she actually witnessed a few births where the brith mother changed their minds and several waiting adoptive parents after waiting for months, simply lost the opportunity to be parents.... I agree, every child needs a home, love, parents and a family. But Its not so easy to do this in the US, as there are both federal and state laws, not to mention heavy financial costs that the adoptive parents are subject to.....

Answer 21

I agree with AH2911.  I adopted as a single parent.  Adopting as a single parent here in the US, especially if you want a child as young as possible is next to impossible.  And international adoption is not cheaper than the US.  Not when you add up the travel, sometimes two trips, the immigration fees, the adoption agency fee, an application fee, the fee for the overseas work, the orphanage donation, etc.  I was lucky enough to adopt an infant, age 2.5months--a boy, from the country of Georgia.  There are over 500,000 children in the orphanages in Russia where many times they have very very little. And thats just one country.  International adoption is by no means a guarantee though.  It maybe fairly assurable but as many parents can agree the country can literally stop international adoptions at any point they choose.  I personally switched agencies and countries at least twice due to various issues that came up

Answer 22

because of the number of orphanes over there...the waiting lists are shorter...and if money is not an issue, it sure is alot easier