Why don't certain countries allow Americans to adopt their children?

Question

Ok some of these countries don't treat children with the respect they deserve.They mistreat parentless children, but yet we Americans are shut out from adopting them and giving them a second chance.

I really wanted to adopt from Myanmar because the parentless children are turned into soldiers.Thats not right making innocent children killing machines.Myanmar treats parentless children like c**p but they are against allowing people to adopt to give them a 2nd chance.What kind of sick stuff is that?! They make them soldiers.

Indonesia doesn't allow adoption.Even after the tsunami years ago all these Americans were calling there asking about the parentless children and the Indonesian government said no you can't adopt.

Why are some of these countries so against adoption?So the child is forced to grow up parentless.Thats not right.Thats heartbreaking.

Australia,Myanmar,Spain,Indonesia,Laos...

Malaysia,and a few other countries don't allow international adoption.Why?

Answer 1

Because the demand for children contributes to corruption in the adoption industry.

Answer 2

Like Iraq...did you know the children that are orphans..are basically outcasts of society...no one wants them around anymore yet you can't adopt them..sad

Answer 3

Dear Kate,

Spydermomma has hit the nail on the head with her answer. I agree that in most cases it is preferable to help a child remain in his or her native country or culture whenever possible. I think that if people really want to help the children of Burma (Myanmar) and other "less fortunate" countries, that it would benefit far more children and their families if we show support for the people of Burma and other regions and help aid them in escaping their current political situations. (Through aid efforts, education, political sanctions etc.) I am appalled that people feel that a disaster or governmental issue gives them the right to "save" the children for themselves! Just because a country is having problems does not mean the Americans should swoop down and adopt up all the children! We should set an example and aid our fellow man rather than use their tragedy for our benefit! True charity is given without expectation of compensation.

Answer 4

Because some countries hate americans and believe we are a country full of Sinners and they would rather their children die in their own country than to allow an american to raise them.

Answer 5

Perhaps the question should really be....

why don't americans look after their own needy children before they go off trying to save the world???

stop pointing out the problems in someone elses county before you've fixed the problems in your own backyard.

Answer 6

Okay, first off it is not just Americans they don't allow to adopt--it is all foreigners. Second, in some of these countries it might be possible in unusual circumstances, such as orphaned relatives or if you are living in the country. Third, few children are adopted from the USA to other countries either, even though there are many thousands of children growing up parentless and in foster care.

Okay, now getting more into the reasons some countries do not allow international adoption. A couple of the countries you mentioned have very few if any children available for any kind of adoption, domestic or foreign: Australia and Spain both have large numbers of couples wanting to adopt, and both have significant numbers of families that adopt from overseas (Spain especially).

Then there are primarily Islamic countries like Indonesia (and to a lesser extent Myanmar and Malaysia). Under Islam, as I understand it, adoption is not really allowed. Orphaned children are usually raised by extended family, as guardians, but their names are not changed and they still retain their place in their original families and their bloodlines and heritage (and I think inheritance also). And don't forget that a lot of children are killed in disasters also, so there are usually many families living in the same communities that have lost children that will gladly take in those that have been orphaned. In China in the recent earthquake, many families lost their only child. And also after a disaster there is a lot of confusion and kids can get separated from their parents, sometimes for months, so you never want to make them immediately available for adoption as so many think you would.

And just in general, most countries would find it shocking that orphaned children would not be taken in by extended family. They look at the foster care system in the USA and just shake their heads. International adoption is hard on children, because they lose not only their families, but also their culture and language and often if they are children of color adopted into white families they face issues of racism that their adoptive families are ill-equipped to deal with.

Now you are right that the situation for children (and adults) in Myanmar/Burma is horrible. The Romanian government also purposefully created orphans and raised them in orphanages that were purposefully designed not to nurture them, so that they would not care for anyone and would supposedly make perfect soldiers. Bloodthirsty dictators are horrible, no question. But of course while that is going on they aren't going to allow international adoption, because they WANT these kids as cannon fodder. Appalling!

Anyway, the question is complicated, like so much in life. I hope what I have said makes a little sense.

Answer 7

Spydermomma is right.

It's not a simple issue.  Many times it's religion; Muslim countries typically do not allow adoptions to non-Muslim countries.  

Or cultural, or the governments are dictatorial and don't want any kind of scrutiny from other countries.  Remember how long it took before Myanmar/Burma would accept US aid for their natural disaster?  Even then, they didn't want the US to distribute it.  

There are as many reasons as there are cultures and countries.  

Answer 8

if at all possible, children should remain in th country of birth. Surely they have a right to grow up in their own culture,  Are you telling me that loving familes, willing to adopt, do not exist anywhere but in America?   Australia & Spain are not exactly developing nations!