International Adoption Essay

Cross-culture adoption, and adoption in general, is an alternate way for couples to have a child. It helps that child find a loving home, and the adoptees in many cases treat their adoptive parents as their real parents. It is a responsibility of the parents to be aware of their own privilege and understanding the concepts of race. By stifling their child’s questions about their own racial identity this can lead to an increase in depressive symptoms within that child (Lee, Grotevant, Hellerstedt, Gunnar, 2006). By promoting Enculturation as “[A] practice of promoting ethnicity-specific experiences that encourage the development of a positive ethnic identity” (Lee, et. Al., 2006,

Since the 1950s, the United States and other countries started a new way in the de-institutionalize the care of vulnerable children which is, close down orphanages in favour of substitute care and accelerated adoption. Besides, western countries started to give up their children without placing them for adoption, and thus, the need to operate large orphanages has decreased. These issues have resulted in a dramatic reduction of local orphans available for adoption, requiring many adoptive parents to orphanages in the Third World.

Within the United States adoption has been evolved markedly, once it was used to “normalize “ a childless marriage (The Free Dictionary, n.d.) or prevent the shame of an adoptee at their “illegitimate” birth or an unwed mother social staning (Fair, 2008) now the primary focus rather is the child’s best interests, a better life. Adoption is a long-standing social behavior that involves a person other than the biological or legal parents of an individual assuming a parenting role in a permanent fashion in the eyes of the law (Health of children, n.d.; The Free Dictionary, n.d.). Through the declaration of legal paperwork a non-biological parent can adopt a child into their home. It must be acknowledged that there are less formal ways

Perhaps the main concern for transracial adoptees concerning their racial situation involves their sense of identity, divided between racial and personal (Deberry 2377). One study worth mention concerning racial identity used the Clark and Clark Doll Test, which features two dolls with dark and light skin, and found only a seven percent difference between the black identification of transracial black adoptees to inracial black adoptees (Morrison 182). Regarding personal identities, outcome studies suggest that TRAs are not necessarily more prone than same-race adoptees or nonadoptees to emotional or behavioral problems, low self-esteem, or maladjustments (Lee 4). During a twenty year follow-up on Chinese children adopted transracially to Britain, the researchers concluded that adoptees and nonadoptees developed self-esteem and social adjustment on the same level (Lee 4). A study in 1977 that interviewed transracially adopting parents throughout the United States found their black children emotionally healthy (Morrison 181). A second concern for the psychological and social effects of TRA considers whether a transracially adopted child adjusts well into a racially different environment. According to a 1983 study, racial differences do not inhibit transracial adoptees from developing typical relationships any less than inracial adoptees (Morrison 182). Furthermore, racial differences may strengthen the parent-child relationship, as it “reinforces that the family’s foundation is based on bonds of relationship, not…biology” (Morrison 188). Studies have indicated the healthy racial identities, the healthy personal identities, and the relationship enabling of racial differences as proof of psychological and social benefits of transracial

According to “Psychological Issues Faced By Adopted Children And Adults” by Allan Schwartz, there are many challenges a child will face when not exposed to their culture.

International adoption takes children out of their countries, and this can lead to the risk of alienating children. Parents that adopt foreign children may be ill-equipped or uneducated in their adopted child’s culture and this can steer the loss of the child’s cultural identity. Culturally, we pass on our values and beliefs through our family structure; our heritage is part of our identity. People who are raised in another country could miss out on learning about their ethnic heritage. Medical writer Meg Brannagan claims internationally adopted children question where their place is in a

Adoptive parents often decide to go with international adoption due to absurd argumentation. This leaves thousands of children in the United States adoption system; unfortunately, these children cannot stay in the government funded system

In all of the international adoption cases, an important value is diversity. Adoptive families should show an interest in adopting from the country that they are adopting from. The families should find the culture of their future child to be very important. As the adoption counselor and I went one particular home study, I noticed stacks of books with information about Korea and even flash cards, so that they can learn Korean. In a research study completed by Reynolds, Pontereotto, and Lecker, it was discovered that “…participants expressed a struggle in dealing with the expectations and opinions of outsiders related to their racial and ethnic identities” (2016). Even though the couple’s books are there to support them and help them engage with

The thought of adoption in today’s society is a major decision for couples. There are different types of adoptions, such as foster care adoptions, domestic adoptions, international adoptions, and independent adoptions. However, the two that most couples choose are domestic and international adoptions. Domestic adoption is the process where a person adopts a child in the United States, most cases; they are located in a different state than you. International adoption is the process where a person adopts a child located in a different country, such as China. Both domestic and international adoptions are big processes and there are various factors to consider: travel, wait time, and cost.

The debate on whether or not foreign adoption should take priority over domestic adoption is still one that is argued to this day. The international group claims that the adoption priority should be focused on foreign countries and their problems such as the children’s lives prior to the adoption as well as the institutionalization of children. However the domestic group is more worried about American children, specifically about abuse possibility as well as the foster care system. Concerned that the only way to fully help anyone else outside of America was if we were the best we could be. Both groups are arguing for the same thing, they want to create a better child care program. If the two groups were to combine their efforts they would be

Adoption boundaries have steadily extended since the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War, where many children became orphans. As a response to them winners, especially Americans, started to adopt children from the war-torn countries (Wilkinson 1995, 174). Thus, it was a start point for international adoption. Intercountry (international or transnational) adoption is defined as adoption, where child is removed to the adoptees’ country. In recent times motives to adopt internationally are explained as charity of wealthier and more developed nations, a wish to help countries, which are fighting with economic problems, and also insufficient numbers of babies within the country. The rate of international adoption increased dramatically,

The birth of a girl has never been a cause for celebration in China, and

When the average American citizen today thinks about the concept of adoption, what images are typically the first that come to mind? Although different people are sure to have equally as different experiences in this field, one picture continues to remain the most commonly-accepted. This image consists of a man and a woman who cannot have children of their own, a newborn baby, and a single mother who will certainly be unable to provide for the infant due to her young age, lack of financial support, or another variety of unfortunate circumstances. Making the decision to adopt a child is without a doubt one of the best options available for couples who are unable to conceive, but by thinking of adoption as nothing more than the fallback

     Adoption is metamorphosing into a radical new process that is both sweeping the nation and changing it. But this process is not an easy one, there are many steps to go through. Through research it is made a lot easier. Adoption is a also a highly visible example of a social institution that has benefits from and been reshaped by both the Internet and the exponential growth of alternative lifestyles, from single to transracial to gay. It is accelerating our transformation into a more multicultural society; even as it helps redefine out understanding of “family.” The process includes three main steps including a type of adoption, the techniques for location a baby for adoption, arranging

Adopting a child is an experience that promises to bring great joy as it changes a couple or individual’s life forever. But what happens if the mother of that child wants to endorse their child? Those are the issues that many adopting parents and birth-right mothers are facing today. Many biological mothers want their child back. There are many concerns for adopting parents to know- that there is the possibly that the birth mother may file for the child. As a birth mother or the adopting parent one must realize consequences that could lay ahead.