Is International Adoption Right For My Family?

Is international adoption possible?

Each year many people choose international adoption as a way to begin or add to their families.

The U.S. State Department collects data on inter-country adoption from U.S. embassies around the world. There were 22,884 children brought to the U.S through international adoption in 2004, the highest number ever. The highest number of placements were from China, 7,044; Russia, 5,865; Guatemala, 3,264; and Korea, 1,716. The countries from which children are placed have changed over the years; fifteen years ago no children came from Russia and only ten came from China.

There are a variety of reasons people choose to adopt internationally. One of the most compelling is the fact that foreign governments are much more flexible than the U.S. in their requirements for adoptive parents. Birth parents in the U.S. often select the adoptive parents for their children. They usually have their own dreams for their children, which seldom include single and/or older parents. Whereas, in international adoption single mothers (and sometimes single fathers) are often able to adopt, and there are usually few barriers to adoptions by parents over age 40.

How will I talk to my children about birth families and their birth country?

Reacting to media stories about birth parents reclaiming their children, many adoptive parents choose international adoption because there is little likelihood of birth parents returning to claim their child. On the other hand, there is often very little or no information about birth families.

Am I looking forward to having my child's birth culture be a part of my family?

Some adoptive parents choose international adoption because they have lived abroad and have experience with international issues or just have interest in international affairs. They feel that adopting internationally will enrich their lives as they become a cross-cultural family. The language, food, and cultural objects from their child's country will be a part of their daily life, enriching both the child and them.

Am I open to a child that is over 6 months old when s/he joins my family?

International adoption is not a good option for families who prefer a newborn. In domestic adoption, families may be able to bring an infant home directly from the hospital. Due to the legal process in foreign countries, infants adopted internationally will be six months to a year old before they can come home from their birth country.

What do I consider a healthy child?

Medical issues should be considered before choosing international adoption. Children available for adoption have very few health records, and no health history or family background information is available. Up to now, HIV has not been a large risk with international adoption, however, Hepatitis B, TB, syphilis, parasites, malnutrition, anemia, and other health problems affect children in other parts of the world. Many children have the potential for good health, once they receive adequate nutrition and access to health care services.

Am I ready to spend extra time helping my child overcome delays?

Many children adopted internationally have been in orphanages. Institutionalization can have a profound impact on children, both physically and emotionally. Lack of stimulation and consistent caregivers, poor nutrition, and sometimes physical and sexual abuse all conspire to delay and sometimes preclude normal development. According to Dr. Dana Johnson, director of the University of Minnesota International Adoption Clinic, children lose one month of linear growth for every three months in the orphanage. Weight gain and head growth are also depressed. Developmental and physical delays can be treated through therapy, but are issues which should be considered.

How do I feel about having a multi-cultural and multi-racial family?

Families adopting internationally must examine how they feel about cross-cultural and trans-racial adoption issues. In many cases adopted children will not look like their parents. Will this be an issue for you and your extended family? If so, it can be difficult for your children later. Is your neighborhood open to racial differences? It is important to let your children know that your feelings about their birth culture (and birth family) are positive. Adoption issues themselves can be difficult enough for families to handle without the complications of trans-racial adoption issues.

How well do I deal with bureaucracy?

International adoption can be fraught with bureaucracy and red tape. You are dealing not only with your local agency, but with your State Department of Social Services, and U.S. Immigration. There is comparable bureaucracy in your child's country in order to complete the adoption through the social services and court system there. Many of the laws you must follow seem ridiculous; however, if you don't comply you can end up with major problems, which may include adopting a child who can't be brought in the U.S. because s/he doesn't meet immigration guidelines and is not eligible for an orphan visa.

What about other difficult situations?

Another factor that can affect international adoption is the political climate - China and Russia have had many adoptions in the past few years, but this only happened since the political changes in the early 1990's. Negative media attention also affects adoptions in some foreign countries. Many countries have printed stories about children being adopted in the U.S. to be used for body parts for transplant operations. Some countries have slowed down or stopped international adoptions in order to investigate adoption practices, revise laws, or because of major governmental changes.

Is international adoption right for me?

So, after considering all these positives and negatives, is international adoption right for you? There are thousands of wonderful children in need of families, if you are able to be flexible and accept the challenges.

So I'm ready to go ahead and adopt internationally. What are the next steps?

You may have an idea of what country you would like to adopt from, but if you're not sure about how to go about the actual adoption your first step should be to choose an adoption agency in your state to do your family assessment and guide you through the process. Choose an agency that has experience with international adoptions and is familiar with the process. Talk with other families who have adopted internationally. Talk with various agencies on the phone and in person to make sure you like them and feel comfortable with the people you'll be working with. They will probably be a presence in your life for some time.

The family assessment (home study) agency can be your placement agency as well. It is also possible with international adoption to have an in-state agency provide the services for your family assessment, immigration approval, and post-placement services; then you can "network" with an out-of-state placement agency for the dossier preparation and adoption in the foreign country. This system may sound complicated, but it can be to your advantage as it will give you more options in terms of countries and programs. Do some investigation to make sure the placement agency you have selected is reputable. Talk with families who have adopted through the same agency, your family assessment agency, and state licensing.

You are now ready to begin several months of hard work. (See "Steps to International Adoption"). Adopting internationally can be a long and frustrating process. Other times the process works quickly and smoothly. In all cases, adoptive parents need to be flexible, patient and cross-culturally sensitive. Remember that officials in the countries from which you are adopting are usually concerned for the children in their care, and they want to be confident that your home is a good place for the children for which they are responsible. Adopting internationally is possible - many families have accomplished it before you.