International Adoption

International Adoption

By

Cornelius Anthony Jr.

There are many reasons as to why people choose to adopt a child. Sometimes it has to do with infertility and couples decide to adopt children because, "I could not have biological children and I do not believe in some methods of fertility treatments (Carney)," but there are other reasons too. According to Christine Adamec, some people think that it is better to adopt than to bring another child into the world. Others do not want to pass a certain genetic problem onto other generations, and some have medical problems that would make the pregnancy more difficult than usual, or even harmful to the mother's health. These types of adoptive parents are called preferential adopters (Adamec, 18-19). Most adoption agencies in the United States turn down couples who are fertile. A statement from their physician describing their infertility is required. Since fertile couples are turned down, they generally adopt a child from another country (Adamec, 18-19). The web page http://www.adopt.org/ states that since birth control and abortions are accessible to most United States citizens, fewer unplanned babies are born and a good number of unmarried mothers are choosing to keep their babies. There are relatively few healthy, United States born babies compared to the number of people looking to adopt. The number of foreign-born orphans adopted by United States citizens has risen from 9,356 in 1988 to 15,774 in 1998. This large number of foreign-born orphans adopted by United States citizens is this way because interracial adoption is no longer an issue because in October of 1995 the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act was passed. This act "bars any agency involved in adoption that receives federal funding from discriminating because of race when considering adoption opportunities for children

Even thought this act is geared more towards domestic adoption than international adoption, it has occurred in international cases. Depending on several factors, a number of options are available if the adoption of infants or toddlers is being considered. International adoption can include agency adoption (both public and private), independent adoption, and identified adoption. Each state has a public agency charged with the care of children in the state. These agencies include the Bureau of Family and Children's Services, the Division if Social Services, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Welfare. A public adoption agency over-sees the provision of services to children, including foster care and adoption, and they are usually found locally in each county (Gilman, 33). Private agencies can be either non-profit or profit organizations. These types of agencies deal with adoptive parents, birth parents, and older children that need adoptive homes. These agencies also deal with international adoption. (Gilman, 35). Identified adoption is when the child knows his or her birth parents, and has a relationship with them. This type is not very common in international adoption. (Gilman, 33-36 and Erichsen 27-29) The adoption requirements of many foreign adoption agencies are less stringent than local adoption agencies in the United States. At most United States based international agencies, Single persons and couples married one year or more between the ages of twenty-five and fifty-five, with or without children, of all races and religious affiliations, as well as persons who were previously divorced can find adoption programs in countries to accept their applications. Prospective adoptive parents must be in the middle to upper income bracket, able to quicken documents and able to travel abroad if required. They must also meet the requirements of Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) (Erichsen 25).

The INS requires that at least one spouse must be a citizen of the United States. The INS does not approve welfare recipients, or persons convicted of a felony. For infants and babies the INS does not approve of unmarried heterosexual or homosexual couples. But, gay men and lesbians are being considered in the adoption of children older than toddlers through some private and international adoptions In addition some countries will not let women in their late thirties or early forties adopt an infant. It is important that people considering adoption be stable and sensitive and able to give a child love, understanding, and patience (Erichsen, 26-27). For an in-state adoption, it is very rare to get a healthy, white infant. In 1983, there was about a five year wait, then it moved to a seven year wait, then to a twelve year wait, and as of 1999 chances were almost never. The waiting period is very, very short if a handicapped child, interracial child, or a teenager or an older child is wanted. Through private adoption and other types, especially interracial, chances are higher getting a Caucasian infant. However, no matter what race a child is health issues do arise in a majority of International Adoptions.

When it comes to interracial adoption, there are disadvantages of raising international children, but the largest is health problems. By law, a blood test is not required of international adoptees unless they are believed to be infected with HIV or syphilis (Erichsen, 151-152). MAJ McKenna, reporter for the Atlanta Constitution, reports that children are coming into this country with very high levels of lead in their systems. These levels are so high that they cause massive and permanent damage to IQ, hearing, growth, and stature if it goes untreated. Children adopted from China are most likely to be found with lead exposure. It was also found in orphans from other Asian countries, Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central and South American. Lead exposure is a greater risk abroad because of leader-gasoline exhaust, industrial emissions, small-scale manufacturing, some traditional medicines, and in even in glazes of ceramic pottery. International adoptees need comprehensive assessment and screening, so their problems do not go undetected and they receive appropriate medial treatment and care as needed (McKenna, 1-2). The general health of children adopted internationally depends a great deal upon the condition of the child at the time of relinquishment and the quality of the orphanage of foster care. Heino Ericheson, author of "How to Adopt Internationally", reports that some international adoptees are in excellent health, but others have a degree of malnutrition, some intestinal parasites, and acute illnesses, such as common colds. These are remedied with a loving home and medical treatment. Babies and children coming from impoverished environments and often arrive at orphanages and foster homes with malnutrition, lice, scabies, skin problems,